Self-Assembly of Lithographically Patterned 3D Micro/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.

*This video was created/produced by David Filipiak (djf224@cornell.edu, djflip@jhu.edu)*

**Also, please see my other educational videos on micro/nanotechnology and micro/nanodevices:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXD7CCnghT4 (4 parts)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Microtechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Microfabrication
• Cleanroom
• Microdevices
• Nanodevices
• Biomedical
• Engineering
• Chemical
• Drug
• Delivery
• Cell
• Encapsulation
• Cancer
• Therapy
• Nano
• origami
• Microscale
• Nanoscale
• Self
• Assembly
• Photolithography
• Mask
• Aligning
• Spin
• Coating
• Electrodeposition
• Research
• 3D
• Animation
• David
• Filipiak
• Gracias
• Johns
• Hopkins
• Laboratory

[nklprsd1]

Thank you for sharing the video. I even read two of the papers published by you about the complex polyhedral self assembly. However, as you mentioned its use in localised drug deliveries.Since, tin was used as hinges to join together the patterned surfaces, could it be potentially toxic once it enters the body??

[djflip4412]

@nklprsd1: Since the time of publication, our lab has been working on the development of more biocompatible materials for the hinges so it is just a matter of time before it will be considered safe for drug delivery applications. Thanks for your comment!

[jthacker1976]

Thanks for sharing - terrific for my physical science class!

[djflip4412]

Thanks for your comments!

Please see my other videos on intro to micro/nanotechnology and micro/nanodevices, they're especially great for science courses! See "more info" for the link (4 parts)

[ajabkasi]

amazing



[ZIrani1]

Thanks for the video.. I'm using on my website

wix.com/cirani/nanospherelp

[jobbus1]

Great work! Perfect way to sell your work to a much broader public than via the journals.

A chemist.

[MNMfirec14]

I didn't understand the use of it in bio-medical research until more than halfway. Amazing, though, a worthy item of use.

[Blakut]

Hmm... and maybe if the inside of the gripper is coted with certain proteins/molecules, it could bait certain cells inside. Or plankton. I don't know what for yet, but maybe someone would find it useful.

[VooDooMadMan]

This is amazing.

[roniscoasting]

What a wonderful video.