The Self-Assembling Nanosystems Group of the Mid-Sweden University deals with the problem of fabricating complex structures at the nanometer scale. At this scale, traditional top-down fabrication technologies, like lithography, are difficult and expensive. The future of nanotechnology will depend on self-building systems.
The BasicsSelf-Assembly is the art of building by mixing. Chemists have been doing this for centuries so the principles are not new to science. The challenge today is to make these systems smart. In order to successfully use self-assembly to build micro- and nano-devices it is important to use building blocks that can be programmed to assemble in certain, pre-determined ways. If all the components that are being assembled are of the same kind a simple periodic structure, “a crystal”, will be the result. Using building blocks with differentiated binding sites that only fit together in certain patterns provides a path to program the assembly process and the possibility to build far more advanced structures than just periodic ones. We call this concept programmable self-assembly (PSA).
Recent projectsRecently our group have focused on programmable self-assembly using gold nanoparticles. The "glue" used in these experiments is single stranded DNA molecules. DNA is an excellent self-assembly glue since it is so specific in its bonding interactions. Our aim is to fabricate complex gold nanoparticle structures for use in various nanotechnology applications. We are also working on the mathematical and theoretic aspects of self-assembly.
Group Leader: Prof. Håkan Olin
Part of our research is described in more detail on the homepage of Björn Högberg.
Gold Nanoparticles in Solution with single stranded DNA
SEM image of gold nanoparticle trimers glued together by DNA