Project Info

Synthesis and assembly of colloidal chains under combined electric and magnetic fields

Ning Wu | ningwu@mines.edu

Natural macromolecules have relatively simple backbones. By virtue of specific interactions between small chain subunits, however, they can fold and assemble into three-dimensional structures of exquisite complexity and functionality, including proteins, DNA, flagella, and cilia. Although our current ability to synthesize reconfigurable functional materials is rather limited, we have recently observed that chains linked by colloids fold into different morphologies that exhibit multiple modes of active motion both near physical boundaries and in bulk fluid. Encouraged by these promising results, we propose the fabrication of chemically linked colloidal chains that closely resemble natural and synthetic macromolecules with tunable chain length, flexibility, composition, and architecture. We further propose exploitation of magnetic and electric fields to tune the effective range, strength, and directionality of intra-chain interactions. This combination of rational building block design and precise control of colloidal interactions, both mediated via external fields, will allow us to investigate the equilibrium conformation, dynamic folding pathways, and active propulsion behavior of colloidal chains at the resolution of single monomers, for a prolonged period of time, and over multiple length scales.

More Information:

Magnetic microlassos for reversible cargo capture, transport, and release, T Yang, TO Tasci, KB Neeves, N Wu, DWM Marr, Langmuir 33 (23), 5932-5937

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