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Colloidal design for self-assembly
Inducing the controlled assembly of colloidal building blocks to prepare the next generation of functional materials with specific mechanical, optical or magnetic properties, requires exceptional control over the interactions between the building blocks. Shape can be a powerful tool to induce and control the assembly of colloidal particles into a variety of structures. However, to engineer novel materials with increased structural complexity, such as low-coordination architectures or metamaterials, it is necessary to induce oriented attachment of the building blocks. In this talk I will show how using inherently directional magnetic interactions in combination with shape anisotropy can significantly increase the complexity of interaction, giving colloidal particles the freedom to rationally (self-)assemble into precise and adaptable structures.