SGER: Hierarchical Microfabrication: Actively Programmable Multi-level Fluidic Self-Assembly

使用随机自组装作为制造范例的一个主要挑战是确定地组装由大量特定的非规则几何形状的粒子组成的复杂结构。我们的目标是利用动态微流控效应来加速和控制微尺度瓦片的自组装。我们使用的方法是基于一个分层的，动态可编程的流体自组装组件。一旦到位，每个组件可以进一步控制局部流动，以吸引或排斥额外的微块，从而明确指导和加速目标结构的“生长”或从组装错误中恢复。我们的目标是证明微瓦片组形成特定的毫米级组件。如果成功，这项研究的结果将为未来低成本、可扩展的三维微尺度设备制造打开大门，这在许多应用中都是必需的。这项研究的结果还将用于开发教育软件，以展示和体验基于自组装概念的制造所涉及的挑战和机遇。

A major challenge in using stochastic self-assembly as a manufacturing paradigm is to deterministically assemble complex structures comprising large numbers of particles in specified, non-regular geometries. Our goal in this grant is to exploit dynamic microfluidic effects both to accelerate and to control self-assembly of micro-scale tiles (microtiles). The approach we are using is based on a hierarchical, dynamically-programmable fluidic self-assembly of components. Once in place, each component can further control local flow to attract or repel additional microtiles and thus explicitly direct and accelerate the 'growth' of the target structure or recover from assembly errors. Our objective is to demonstrate the formation of groups of microtiles into specified millimeter-scale assemblies.If successful, the results of this research will open the door to future low-cost, scalable fabrication of three-dimensional micro-scale devices, required in numerous applications. Results from this research will also be used to develop educational software for demonstrating and experiencing the challenges and opportunities involved in manufacturing based on self-assembly concepts.