Self-Assembly of Lithographically Patterned 3D Nanostructures
Nanotechnology, the new science of extreme miniaturization, is a rapidly growing
field in engineering. On this size scale, it is extremely difficult and expensive
to fabricate analogs of macroscale engineering, such as grippers. Drawing inspiration
from biological fabrication in nature, engineers are seeking to self-assemble
structures from the bottom up. The Gracias Lab at The Johns Hopkins University
has developed a relatively easy, precise, and cost-effective process by which
the 2D templates of semi-tethered "faces" can self-assemble into controlled
3D structures by utilizing the natural phenomena of surface tension as well
as thin-film stress.
Run time: 8.54 mins