Unravelling the rules on particle assembly into superstructures

纳米颗粒超结构是表现出高表面积与体积比、周期性和大堆积密度的颗粒的组装体，其可用于药物递送、光子学、传感和能量存储。为了实现这些材料的潜力，需要预测性地理解粒子间力如何控制超结构的形成。该项目将创建一个独一无二的多尺度模拟框架，以定制各向异性工程纳米粒子在液体中的超结构组装。纳米粒子组装模拟将在基于溶液的研究中使用新型粒子跟踪显微镜进行验证。这将使设计和大规模生产具有受控特性和功能的纳米材料成为可能。

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.