Unravelling the rules on particle assembly into superstructures

纳米粒子超结构是一种具有高比表面积、周期性和大堆积密度的粒子聚集体，可用于药物输送、光子学、传感和储能。要实现这些材料的潜力，需要对粒间力如何控制超结构的形成有一个预见性的理解。该项目将创建一个独一无二的多尺度模拟框架，将各向异性工程纳米颗粒组装成液体中的超结构。纳米粒子组装模拟将在基于溶液的研究中用一种新的粒子跟踪显微镜进行验证。这将使具有可控特性和功能的纳米材料的设计和大规模生产成为可能。

Nanoparticle superstructures are assemblies of particles that exhibit high surface-to-volume ratio, periodicity and large packing density useful for drug delivery, photonics, sensing and energy storage. To realise the potential of these materials requires a predicative understanding of how interparticle forces control superstructure formation. This project will create a one-of-its-kind multiscale simulation framework to tailor the assembly of anisotropic engineered nanoparticles into superstructures in liquids. Nanoparticle assembly simulation will be validated with a novel particle tracking microscopy in solution-based studies. This will enable the design and large-scale production of nanomaterials with controlled properties and functions.