TABLE OF CONTENTS David H. Gracias, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Insung Choi, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Marcus Weck, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
George M. Whitesides, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
This paper describes the application of self-assembly to the formation of structured aggregates (both static and dynamic) of millimeter sized objects. We argue that MEso-scale Self-Assembly (MESA) provides a framework for fabricating two- and three- dimensional structures (with objects ranging in size between 10 nm and 10 mm), and illustrates broadly important principles underlying the behavior of complex, natural systems.
Self-Assembly is the spontaneous organization of molecules or objects, under steady state or equilibrium conditions, into stable aggregates, by non-covalent forces; these aggregates are not necessarily at the global minimum in energy [14, 15]. Meso-Scale Self-Assembly (MESA) refers to self assembly carried out with objects ranging in size from 10 nm to 10 mm using forces having lateral extension with similar size [8, 6, 1, 9, 12, 17, 13, 7, 4, 11]. MESA bridges the gap between molecular self-assembly (e.g. crystallization [16]; and protein-ligand recognition [10]) and the conventional fabrication of macroscopic machines. This paper briefly outlines the most important concepts governing self-assembly at these length scales. It also describes the application of MESA in (a) fabricating artificial crystals and three dimensional structures [9, 12, 17], (b) mimicking molecular self assembly [4, 11, 3, 5], and (c) designing dynamical systems that show tailored complexity [2].
We begin by describing two static systems; in these systems, the capillary interactions between individual...
