Magnetic self-assembly of three-dimensional surfaces from planar sheets.
This report describes the spontaneous folding of flat elastomeric sheets, patterned with magnetic dipoles, into free-standing, 3D objects that are the topological equivalents of spherical shells. The path of the self-assembly is determined by a competition between mechanical and magnetic interactions. The potential of this strategy for the fabrication of 3D electronic devices is demonstrated by generating a simple electrical circuit surrounding a spherical cavity.
Boncheva
Mila
M
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Andreev
Stefan A
SA
Mahadevan
L
L
Winkleman
Adam
A
Reichman
David R
DR
Prentiss
Mara G
MG
Whitesides
Sue
S
Whitesides
George M
GM