Tiny self-assembling particles developed

Scientists have created microscopic self-assembling particles that can be manipulated using light and can serve as the next generation of building blocks in the making of synthetic materials. “Our work turns the tiniest of particles from inflexible, Lego-like pieces into ones that can transform themselves into a range of shapes,” said Stefano Sacanna, an assistant professor at NYU. The research focused on engineering particles a micrometer in width – about 1/200^th the width of a strand of human hair.