Self Assembly

Natural materials are a perfect example of self assembly; shells, trees, bones, and more build themselves with no direction. Materials scientists are creating molecules that can come together to build a more complex, defined arrangement or functional unit.

Researchers

Alfredo Alexander-Katz

Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

NE46-605
aalexand@mit.edu

Bio; Biophysics; Computational Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Nanotechnology; Polymers; Self Assembly

Robert J. Macfarlane

Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

13-5056
rmacfarl@mit.edu

Biomaterials; Materials Chemistry; Mechanical Behavior of Materials; Nanotechnology; Photonic Materials; Polymers; Self Assembly; Composites

Caroline A. Ross

Associate Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering; Toyota Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

13-4005
caross@mit.edu

Electronic Materials; Magnetic Materials; Nanotechnology; Polymers; Self Assembly; Surfaces, Interfaces, and Thin Films

Frances M. Ross

Ellen Swallow Richards Professor in Materials Science and Engineering

13-5046
(617) 452-2535
fmross@mit.edu

Electrochemistry; Self Assembly; Semiconductors; Surfaces, Interfaces, and Thin Films

Edwin L. Thomas

Morris Cohen Professor Emeritus of Materials Science and Engineering

elt@rice.edu

Photonic Materials; Polymers; Self Assembly

News

Making nanoparticle building blocks for new materials

February 17, 2023

Associate Professor Robert Macfarlane is uncovering design principles that allow researchers to fine-tune materials at many size scales.

Researchers construct molecular nanofibers that are stronger than steel

January 25, 2021

Researchers have designed small molecules that spontaneously form nanoribbons when water is added. These molecules include a Kevlar-inspired “aramid” domain in their design, which fixes each molecule in place and leads to nanoribbons that are stronger than steel.

Research