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Melzer JE, McLeod E. Assembly of multicomponent structures from hundreds of micron-scale building blocks using optical tweezers. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2021; 7:45. [PMID: 34567758 PMCID: PMC8433220 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-021-00272-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) microscale structures is critical for many applications, including strong and lightweight material development, medical device fabrication, microrobotics, and photonic applications. While 3D microfabrication has seen progress over the past decades, complex multicomponent integration with small or hierarchical feature sizes is still a challenge. In this study, an optical positioning and linking (OPAL) platform based on optical tweezers is used to precisely fabricate 3D microstructures from two types of micron-scale building blocks linked by biochemical interactions. A computer-controlled interface with rapid on-the-fly automated recalibration routines maintains accuracy even after placing many building blocks. OPAL achieves a 60-nm positional accuracy by optimizing the molecular functionalization and laser power. A two-component structure consisting of 448 1-µm building blocks is assembled, representing the largest number of building blocks used to date in 3D optical tweezer microassembly. Although optical tweezers have previously been used for microfabrication, those results were generally restricted to single-material structures composed of a relatively small number of larger-sized building blocks, with little discussion of critical process parameters. It is anticipated that OPAL will enable the assembly, augmentation, and repair of microstructures composed of specialty micro/nanomaterial building blocks to be used in new photonic, microfluidic, and biomedical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey E. Melzer
- Wyant College of Optical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 USA
| | - Euan McLeod
- Wyant College of Optical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 USA
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Algorithms for the Motion of Randomly Positioned Hexagonal and Square Microparts on a "Smart Platform" with Electrostatic Forces and a New Method for Their Simultaneous Centralization and Alignment. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10120874. [PMID: 31842370 PMCID: PMC6953110 DOI: 10.3390/mi10120874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, an approach is proposed for the simultaneous manipulation of multiple hexagonal and square plastic-glass type microparts that are positioned randomly on a smart platform (SP) using electrostatic forces applied by the suitable activation of circular conductive electrodes. First, the statics analysis of a micropart on the SP is presented in detail and the forces and torques that are applied to and around the center of mass (COM) respectively due to the activation of a SP electrode are determined. The "single electrode activation" (SEA) and the "multiple electrodes activations" (MEA) algorithms are introduced to determine the feasible SP electrodes activations for the microparts manipulation considering their initial configuration. An algorithm for the simultaneous handling of multiple microparts is studied considering the collision avoidance with neighboring microparts. An approach is presented for the simultaneous centralization and alignment of the microparts preparing them for their batch parallel motion on the SP. The developed algorithms are applied to a simulated platform and the results are presented and discussed.
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Kotnala A, Zheng Y. Digital Assembly of Colloidal Particles for Nanoscale Manufacturing. PARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION : MEASUREMENT AND DESCRIPTION OF PARTICLE PROPERTIES AND BEHAVIOR IN POWDERS AND OTHER DISPERSE SYSTEMS 2019; 36:1900152. [PMID: 33041521 PMCID: PMC7546242 DOI: 10.1002/ppsc.201900152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
From unravelling the most fundamental phenomena to enabling applications that impact our everyday lives, the nanoscale world holds great promise for science, technology and medicine. However, the extent of its practical realization would rely on manufacturing at the nanoscale. Among the various nanomanufacturing approaches being investigated, the bottom-up approach involving assembly of colloidal nanoparticles as building blocks is promising. Compared to a top-down lithographic approach, particle assembly exhibits advantages such as smaller feature size, finer control of chemical composition, less defects, lower material wastage, and higher scalability. The capability to assemble colloidal particles one by one or "digitally" has been heavily sought as it mimics the natural way of making matter and enables construction of nanomaterials with sophisticated architectures. This progress report provides an insight into the tools and techniques for digital assembly of particles, including their working mechanisms and demonstrated particle assemblies. Examples of nanomaterials and nanodevices are presented to demonstrate the strength of digital assembly in nanomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhay Kotnala
- Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering Program and Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Yuebing Zheng
- Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering Program and Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
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Barroso Á, Landwerth S, Woerdemann M, Alpmann C, Buscher T, Becker M, Studer A, Denz C. Optical assembly of bio-hybrid micro-robots. Biomed Microdevices 2016; 17:26. [PMID: 25681045 PMCID: PMC4328111 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-015-9933-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The combination of micro synthetic structures with bacterial flagella motors represents an actual trend for the construction of self-propelled micro-robots. The development of methods for fabrication of these bacteria-based robots is a first crucial step towards the realization of functional miniature and autonomous moving robots. We present a novel scheme based on optical trapping to fabricate living micro-robots. By using holographic optical tweezers that allow three-dimensional manipulation in real time, we are able to arrange the building blocks that constitute the micro-robot in a defined way. We demonstrate exemplarily that our method enables the controlled assembly of living micro-robots consisting of a rod-shaped prokaryotic bacterium and a single elongated zeolite L crystal, which are used as model of the biological and abiotic components, respectively. We present different proof-of-principle approaches for the site-selective attachment of the bacteria on the particle surface. The propulsion of the optically assembled micro-robot demonstrates the potential of the proposed method as a powerful strategy for the fabrication of bio-hybrid micro-robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Barroso
- Institute of Applied Physics, Westfälische Wilhems Universität, Correnstrasse 2-4, 48149, Muenster, Germany,
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Wang Y, Wang R, Xu D, Sun C, Ni L, Fu W, Zeng S, Jiang S, Zhang Z, Qiu S. Synthesis and properties of MFI zeolites with microporous, mesoporous and macroporous hierarchical structures by a gel-casting technique. NEW J CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5nj03387j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
3D hierarchical porous ZSM-5 zeolite as a catalytic material for the cracking of n-hexadecane is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- College of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Runwei Wang
- College of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Diou Xu
- College of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Chuanyin Sun
- College of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Ling Ni
- College of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Weiwei Fu
- Experimental Center of Shenyang Normal University
- Shenyang 110034
- P. R. China
| | - Shangjing Zeng
- College of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Shang Jiang
- College of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Zongtao Zhang
- College of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Shilun Qiu
- College of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
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Gould OEC, Qiu H, Lunn DJ, Rowden J, Harniman RL, Hudson ZM, Winnik MA, Miles MJ, Manners I. Transformation and patterning of supermicelles using dynamic holographic assembly. Nat Commun 2015; 6:10009. [PMID: 26627644 PMCID: PMC4686664 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the solution self-assembly of block copolymers has enabled the fabrication of a broad range of complex, functional nanostructures, their precise manipulation and patterning remain a key challenge. Here we demonstrate that spherical and linear supermicelles, supramolecular structures held together by non-covalent solvophobic and coordination interactions and formed by the hierarchical self-assembly of block copolymer micelle and block comicelle precursors, can be manipulated, transformed and patterned with mediation by dynamic holographic assembly (optical tweezers). This allows the creation of new and stable soft-matter superstructures far from equilibrium. For example, individual spherical supermicelles can be optically held in close proximity and photocrosslinked through controlled coronal chemistry to generate linear oligomeric arrays. The use of optical tweezers also enables the directed deposition and immobilization of supermicelles on surfaces, allowing the precise creation of arrays of soft-matter nano-objects with potentially diverse functionality and a range of applications. Block copolymers can form micelles and assemblies of micelles (supermicelles) when placed in suitable solvents. Here, the authors use optical tweezers to control the arrangement and deposition of supermicelles into higher-order patterned nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver E C Gould
- Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Huibin Qiu
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - David J Lunn
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - John Rowden
- School of Physics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
| | | | | | - Mitchell A Winnik
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3H6
| | - Mervyn J Miles
- School of Physics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Ian Manners
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
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Buscher T, Barroso Á, Denz C, Studer A. Synthesis and photo-postmodification of zeolite L based polymer brushes. Polym Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5py00425j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Zeolite L macroinitiators are used for controlled radical copolymerization of a photo-active monomer and subsequent spin trapping of nitroxides results in diversely functionalized particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Buscher
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
- Organic Chemistry Institute
- 48149 Münster
- Germany
| | - Álvaro Barroso
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
- Institute of Applied Physics
- 48149 Münster
- Germany
| | - Cornelia Denz
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
- Institute of Applied Physics
- 48149 Münster
- Germany
| | - Armido Studer
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
- Organic Chemistry Institute
- 48149 Münster
- Germany
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Xiao M, Guo X, Cheng M, Ju G, Zhang Y, Shi F. pH-responsive on-off motion of a superhydrophobic boat: towards the design of a minirobot. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2014; 10:859-865. [PMID: 24170424 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201302132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Combining chemical reactions and stimuli-responsive surfaces as clutch system, a functional cooperating minirobot with on-off locomotion that is responsive to pH changes is fabricated. Its locomotion can be switched on by changing pH value of the solution from 1 to 13, turned off by adjusting the pH back to acidic, and restarted by transforming the solution to basic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering & Key Laboratory of Carbon Fiber and Functional Polymer, Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
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Salles AG, Zarra S, Turner RM, Nitschke JR. A Self-Organizing Chemical Assembly Line. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:19143-6. [DOI: 10.1021/ja412235e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Airton G. Salles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield
Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Salvatore Zarra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield
Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M. Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield
Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R. Nitschke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield
Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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Lupulescu AI, Kumar M, Rimer JD. A facile strategy to design zeolite L crystals with tunable morphology and surface architecture. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:6608-17. [PMID: 23570284 DOI: 10.1021/ja4015277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tailoring the anisotropic growth rates of materials to achieve desired structural outcomes is a pervasive challenge in synthetic crystallization. Here we discuss a method to selectively control the growth of zeolite crystals, which are used extensively in a wide range of industrial applications. This facile method cooperatively tunes crystal properties, such as morphology and surface architecture, through the use of inexpensive, commercially available chemicals with specificity for binding to crystallographic surfaces and mediating anisotropic growth. We examined over 30 molecules as potential zeolite growth modifiers (ZGMs) of zeolite L (LTL type) crystallization. ZGM efficacy was quantified through a combination of macroscopic (bulk) and microscopic (surface) investigations that identified modifiers capable of dramatically altering the cylindrical morphology of LTL crystals. We demonstrate an ability to tailor properties critical to zeolite performance, such as external porous surface area, crystal shape, and pore length, which can enhance sorbate accessibility to LTL pores, tune the supramolecular organization of guest-host composites, and minimize the diffusion path length, respectively. We report that a synergistic combination of ZGMs and the judicious adjustment of synthesis parameters produce LTL crystals with unique surface features, and a range of length-to-diameter aspect ratios spanning 3 orders of magnitude. A systematic examination of different ZGM structures and molecular compositions (i.e., hydrophobicity and binding moieties) reveal interesting physicochemical properties governing their efficacy and specificity. Results of this study suggest this versatile strategy may prove applicable for a host of framework types to produce unrivaled materials that have eluded more conventional techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra I Lupulescu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-4004, USA
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