title: The powers of self-assembly.
abstract: During the past few years, new concepts of materials synthesis have been developed in which macromolecular structures form by-processes of self-assembly. Microstructures and nanostructures, which often mimic those found in nature, are formed without complex manufacturing methods. This article assesses the implications of this development for medical devices.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Engineering Department, Royal University of Liverpool Hospital, UK. dfw.ce@liverpool.ac.uk
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D008422:Materials Testing; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials