We have been synthesizing chains of patterned magnetic colloids that have rigidity and length specificity, and are able to demonstrate capability for folding, self-assembly, and specific chemical and biorecognition. Active exploration of diverse chemistries and connectivities in these bioinspired colloidal assemblies offer the potential for self-organized materials with greater chemical diversity and stability than their natural counterparts.

A key obstacle to assembling these and other materials is understanding the fundamental chemistry and physics of the assembly processes. In this talk, attention is focused on the influence of variable flexibility on the shape and morphology of linked colloidal chains. We will present novel microstructures formed when colloidal chains are chemically patterned using microfluidics and DNA. This technique offers a way for intermolecular interactions to be designed along the backbone of a chain by manipulating the electrostatic forces along the length of the chain. The conjugate of colloids and patterned linkers produces a new, hybrid type of molecule that can synergistically combine the individual properties of the two components to yield new and unusual properties.