Patent ID: 11167287

Abstract:
Some variations provide a device for assembling a plurality of particles into particle assemblies, comprising: (a) a microfluidic droplet-generating region; (b) a first inlet to the droplet-generating region, configured to feed a first fluid containing particles and a solvent for the particles; (c) a second inlet to the droplet-generating region, configured to feed a second fluid that is not fully miscible with the first fluid; (d) a droplet outlet from the droplet-generating region, configured to withdraw droplets of the first fluid dispersed in the second fluid; and (e) a droplet-dissolving region configured to remove solvent from the droplets, thereby forming particle assemblies. Some variations also provide an assembly of nanoparticles, wherein the assembly has a volume from 1 μm3 to 1 mm3, a packing fraction from 20% to 100%, and/or an average relative surface roughness less than 1%, wherein the assembly is not disposed on a substrate.