Self assembled nanostructure through field assisted phase transition

In the year of 2012, scientist developed the idea of using nanoparticles as building block of functional material which can be engineered to make a computer chip that can assemble itself.

The research carried out by researchers of NASA and University of Delware reported an article about the self assembled with specific structures, built by nanomaterials.

They have observed transition of paramagnetic colloids from random structures to organised crystalline structures when an external magnetic field with desired frequency and field strength was applied into it. This kind of phase separation/transition provides the opportunity to build crystals using magnetic field. It is also useful in understanding the phenomena/mechanisms through which the materials are turned into crystalline.

This new phenomenon could prove worthy for manufacturing new nanoscale self assembled components due to a definite relationship between applied electric field and the conversion of disorder to order structure.

For further reading regarding field assisted phase transition:

http://www.pnas.org/content/109/40/16023.full.pdf+html?sid=d4c55815-5d87-4419-b4da-dd7cc0eaeb9c