Bridging between nano- and micro-scales for system integration: controlled capillary force-driven self assembly

We present self-assembly methods which span some six orders of magnitude in size, from molecular monolayers to millimeter-scale structures. The method is based on the use of self-assembled monolayers which selectively modify the surface energy of Si and/or Au. This surface energy modification allows microscale droplets of a macromolecule, or polymer to selectively assemble onto regions pre-defined by microfabrication methods. Finally, liquid polymer interactions result in capillary forces to self-assemble 10-100 μm sized parts into mm-scale structures. Thus we demonstrate an integration method using self-assembly which bridges between nano and micro scales.