University of Michigan researchers have discovered a way to self-assemble nanoparticles into wires, sheets, shells and other unusual structures using sticky patches that make the particles group themselves together in programmed ways. This method could be used to fabricate new nanoscale materials and devices.

The assemblies could serve as basic structural units to further prepare materials with more complex structures such as tubes, helices and 3-D networks, which could in turn serve as scaffolds or templates for assembly of electronic or optical components, or as channels for transport of liquids or molecules.

The research is described in a paper, “Self Assembly of Patchy Particles,” in Nano Letters this month.

University of Michigan news release