All Self assembly articles
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OpinionIs there a natural order in which complex objects appear?
Assembly theory suggests there might be
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Opinion
Ned Seeman’s legacy
A system based on DNA ‘tiles’ can embody Darwinian evolution, raising new possibilities for understanding natural selection and materials development
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Research
Clippanes join rotaxanes and catenanes in mechanically interlocked molecule family
Keck-clip molecules consist of two entangled gold–carbene metallotweezers
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Research
Peptide superstructures speed up Michael reaction
A tripeptide that self-assembles into a supramolecular fibres accelerates an asymmetric benchmark reaction by up to 74%
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Research
Giant molecular cage protects plastic-eating enzyme
Caged protein withstands temperatures much hotter than its usual melting point and becomes 1000 times more resistant to solvents
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Research
Peptides self-assemble to support growth of artificial tumours
Cancer cells grown around bioengineered microfibres make an ideal model to test new chemotherapy drugs
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Research
Light-harvesting wheel reinvented by chemists copying bacterium
Synthetic mimic of complex at the heart of photosynthesis offers new ways to capture solar energy
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Research
Model maps solvent effects on non-covalent interactions
Tool will help experimental chemists pick the best solvent for their reaction
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Research
Self-assembling silver dendrites boost flux of carbon capture membrane
Non-equilibrium permeation conditions stimulate silver network growth in molten-carbonate membranes
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Research
Computer says no to membrane-bound life on Titan
Scientists quash inside–out cell membrane theory but don’t completely rule out possibility of life on cryogenic liquid hydrocarbon worlds
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Research
Self-assembling ‘buckybowls’ inspired by virus capsids
Football-like molecules could be used in drug delivery, catalysis and synthesis
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Research
Non-natural system uses covalent base-pairing to transfer information
Template-directed process that replicates non-biological molecules is step towards using evolution to explore chemical space
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Research
Droplets retain crystal-like structure while sliding on vertical substrate
Surprising properties of soft material may have significant impact on polymer physics
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Research
Nanoparticles assemble into first single-ingredient quasicrystal
Predicted a decade ago, the first one-component quasicrystal has been made from tetrahedral particles
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Research
Chemical pulse animates lifelike colour-changing system
Purple–pink oscillation could herald strong and stimuli-responsive materials
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Research
Turing patterned membrane takes on water purification
Mathematician Alan Turing’s sole chemistry paper inspires self-assembling spotted and striped polymer structures
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Research
Remote control droplets merge on command to perform reactions
Responsive surfactants offer new ways to control chemical processes
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News
Molecular knot gets Guinness world record
David Leigh’s circular triple helix is officially the tightest knot ever tied
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Research
Patchy particles with predictable patterns
Controllable, predictable method produces patchy particles on a large scale
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Research
Self-destructing material mimics nature
Unstable chemical system inspired by ATP-consuming cells could be programmed to release drugs
