Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Volume 108, Issue 13, Pages 5193-5198Publisher
NATL ACAD SCIENCES
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1014094108
Keywords
programmable matter; random energy model; colloidal clusters; directed assembly
Categories
Funding
- Defense Advanced Research Planning Agency Programmable Matter
- National Science Foundation through the Harvard Materials Research Science and Engineering Center and the Division of Mathematical Sciences
- Division Of Materials Research
- Direct For Mathematical & Physical Scien [820484] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Recent experimental advances have opened up the possibility of equilibrium self-assembly of functionalized nanoblocks with a high degree of controllable specific interactions. Here, we propose design principles for selecting the short-range interactions between self-assembling components to maximize yield. We illustrate the approach with an example from colloidal engineering. We construct an optimal set of local interactions for eight colloidal particles (coated, e. g., with DNA strands) to assemble into a particular polytetrahedral cluster. Maximum yield is attained when the interactions between the colloids follow the design rules: All energetically favorable interactions have the same strength, as do all unfavorable ones, and the number of components and energies fall within the proposed range. In general, it might be necessary to use more component than strictly required for enforcing the ground state configuration. The results motivate design strategies for engineering components that can reliably self-assemble.
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