Information AboutSelf-assembly |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT SELF-ASSEMBLY | |
| nanotechnology | |
| cell biology | |
| systems theory | |
| self-organization | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
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MOLECULAR SELF-ASSEMBLY Molecular self-assembly is the assembly of Molecule s without guidance or management from an outside source. There are two types of self-assembly, intramolecular self-assembly and '''inter'''molecular self-assembly, although in some books and articles the term self-assembly refers only to intermolecular self-assembly. Intramolecular self-assembling molecules are often complex Polymer s with the ability to assemble from the Random Coil conformation into a well-defined stable structure (secondary and tertiary structure). An example of intramolecular self-assembly is Protein Folding . Intermolecular self-assembly is the ability of molecules to form Supramolecular Assemblies (quarternary structure). A simple example is the formation of a Micelle by Surfactant molecules in solution. Self-assembly can occur spontaneously in nature, for example in Cells (such as the self-assembly of the Lipid Bilayer Membrane ) and other biological systems, as well as in human engineered systems. It usually results in the increase in internal organization of the system. Biological self-assembling systems, including synthetically engineered self-assembling peptides and other biomaterials, have been shown to have superior handling, biocompatibility and functionality. These advantages are due directly to self-assembly from biocompatible precursors creating biomaterials engineered at the nano-scale. Also, self-assembly is a manufacturing method used to construct things at the Nanometre -scale. Many biological systems use self-assembly to assemble various molecules and structures. Imitating these strategies and creating novel molecules with the ability to self-assemble into Supramolecular Assemblies is an important technique in Nanotechnology . In self-assembly the final (desired) structure is 'encoded' in the shape and properties of the molecules that are used, as compared to traditional techniques, such as Lithography , where the desired final structure must be carved out from a larger block of matter. Self-assembly is thus referred to as a 'bottom-up' manufacturing technique, as compared to lithography being a 'top-down' technique. The synthesis of molecules for self-assembly often involves a chemical process called Convergent Synthesis . Microchips of the future might be made by molecular self-assembly. An example of self-assembly in nature is the way that Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic interactions cause Cell Membrane s to self assemble. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS AND REFERENCES
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