page_title: Self-assembly
hierarchical_section_title: Self-assembly
caption_attribution_description: English: Self-assembled arrays and mesocrystals formed by the cubic iron oxide nanoparticles. (left) High resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of an ordered array of nanocubes taken from top-surfaces of self-assembled mesocrystals. Scale bar: 100 nm. The image has been FFT-filtered for clarity. (middle) Reflected light microscopy image of cuboidal mesocrystals composed of nanocubes by a conventional drop-casting procedure. (right) TEM image of a multilayer of nanocubes. Scale bar: 50 nm.
context_page_description: Self-assembly is a process in which a disordered system of pre-existing components forms an organized structure or pattern as a consequence of specific, local interactions among the components themselves, without external direction. When the constitutive components are molecules, the process is termed molecular self-assembly.
  Self-assembly can be classified as either static or dynamic. In static self-assembly, the ordered state forms as a system approaches equilibrium, reducing its free energy. However, in dynamic self-assembly, patterns of pre-existing components organized by specific local interactions are not commonly described as "self-assembled" by scientists in the associated disciplines. These structures are better described as "self-organized", although these terms are often used interchangeably.
context_section_description: Self-assembly is a process in which a disordered system of pre-existing components forms an organized structure or pattern as a consequence of specific, local interactions among the components themselves, without external direction. When the constitutive components are molecules, the process is termed molecular self-assembly.
  Self-assembly can be classified as either static or dynamic. In static self-assembly, the ordered state forms as a system approaches equilibrium, reducing its free energy.  However, in dynamic self-assembly, patterns of pre-existing components organized by specific local interactions are not commonly described as "self-assembled" by scientists in the associated disciplines. These structures are better described as "self-organized", although these terms are often used interchangeably.
caption: Iron oxide nanoparticles can be dispersed in an organic solvent (toluene). Upon its evaporation, they may self-assemble (left and right panels) into micron-sized mesocrystals (center) or multilayers (right). Each dot in the left image is a traditional "atomic" crystal shown in the image above. Scale bars: 100 nm (left), 25 μm (center), 50 nm (right).[1]
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