Mesoscale self-assembly: the assembly of micron-and millimeter-sized objects using capillary forces

This chapter describes experimental and conceptual issues in mesoscale selfassembly (MESA), using examples from our work in the assembly of millimeter-and micron(micrometer)-sized polyhedral objects using capillary forces. In MESA, objects (from nm to mm in size) self-assemble into ordered arrays through noncovalent forces. Three systems that use capillary forces in MESA are described: these involve the assembly of objects into two-dimensional arrays at the perfluorodecalin/H2O interface, into three-dimensional arrays at curved liquid/liquid interfaces, and into three-dimensional arrays from a suspension in water. The capillary interactions between objects can be viewed as a type of ‘bond’ that is analogous to chemical bonds that act between atoms and molecules.