Self-Assembling Nanoliter Containers
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. This manufacturing paradigm has been largely
unexplored in human engineering since the process is generally perceived to
be indeterminable and uncontrollable.
The Gracias Lab at Johns Hopkins 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. This video highlights the development, manufacturing process,
and proposed functions (cell encapsulation devices and controlled drug delivery
carriers) of our self-assembling nanoliter containers.
VIDEO
Run time: 4.07 mins