Predictive Self-Assembly of Polyhedra into Complex Structures

Engel M, Damasceno PF, Glotzer SC (2012)

Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2012

Journal

Science American Association for the Advancement of Science

Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Book Volume: 337

Pages Range: 453-457

Journal Issue: 6093

DOI: 10.1126/science.1220869

Abstract

Predicting structure from the attributes of a material's building blocks remains a challenge and central goal for materials science. Isolating the role of building block shape for self-assembly provides insight into the ordering of molecules and the crystallization of colloids, nanoparticles, proteins, and viruses. We investigated 145 convex polyhedra whose assembly arises solely from their anisotropic shape. Our results demonstrate a remarkably high propensity for thermodynamic self-assembly and structural diversity. We show that from simple measures of particle shape and local order in the fluid, the assembly of a given shape into a liquid crystal, plastic crystal, or crystal can be predicted.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Engel Lehrstuhl für Multiscale Simulation of Particulate Systems (MSS)

Involved external institutions

University of Michigan US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Engel, M., Damasceno, P.F., & Glotzer, S.C. (2012). Predictive Self-Assembly of Polyhedra into Complex Structures. Science, 337(6093), 453-457. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1220869

MLA:

Engel, Michael, Pablo F. Damasceno, and Sharon C. Glotzer. "Predictive Self-Assembly of Polyhedra into Complex Structures." Science 337.6093 (2012): 453-457.

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