Pure Appl. Chem., 2003, Vol. 75, No. 5, pp. 621-630
doi:10.1351/pac200375050621
Millimeter-scale self-assembly and its applications*
M. Boncheva, D. A. Bruzewicz, and G. M. Whitesides**
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Abstract:
Self-assembly is a concept familiar to chemists.
In the molecular and nanoscale regimes, it is often used as a strategy
in fabricating regular 3D structures—that is, crystals. Self-assembly
of components with sizes in the µm-to-mm range is less familiar
to chemists; this type of self-assembly may, however, become technologically
important in the future. In this size range, self-assembly offers methods
to form regular 3D structures from components too small or too numerous
to be manipulated by other means, and methods to incorporate function
into these structures; it also offers simplicity and economy.
This paper focuses on the use of self-assembly to build functional
systems of components with sizes in the range from microns to millimeters.
It compares the principles of selfassembly at the molecular and millimeter
scales, reviews the possible applications of mesoscale, self-assembled
systems, and outlines some of the most important issues in the use of
self-assembly to build functional systems.
**Corresponding author.