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Vector assembly of colloids on monolayer substrates

Author

Listed:
  • Lingxiang Jiang

    (College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University)

  • Shenyu Yang

    (College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University)

  • Boyce Tsang

    (University of Illinois)

  • Mei Tu

    (College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University)

  • Steve Granick

    (Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS)
    UNIST
    UNIST)

Abstract

The key to spontaneous and directed assembly is to encode the desired assembly information to building blocks in a programmable and efficient way. In computer graphics, raster graphics encodes images on a single-pixel level, conferring fine details at the expense of large file sizes, whereas vector graphics encrypts shape information into vectors that allow small file sizes and operational transformations. Here, we adapt this raster/vector concept to a 2D colloidal system and realize ‘vector assembly’ by manipulating particles on a colloidal monolayer substrate with optical tweezers. In contrast to raster assembly that assigns optical tweezers to each particle, vector assembly requires a minimal number of optical tweezers that allow operations like chain elongation and shortening. This vector approach enables simple uniform particles to form a vast collection of colloidal arenes and colloidenes, the spontaneous dissociation of which is achieved with precision and stage-by-stage complexity by simply removing the optical tweezers.

Suggested Citation

  • Lingxiang Jiang & Shenyu Yang & Boyce Tsang & Mei Tu & Steve Granick, 2017. "Vector assembly of colloids on monolayer substrates," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15778
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15778
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