Self-assembled adaptive materials via 3D printed active programmable building blocks

State-of-the-art synthetic materials inspired by living systems are at the heart of multiple emerging technologies, such as additive manufacturing, soft robotics, and nanofabrication. Another enabling technology inspired by the biological world is self-assembly, i.e. the tendency of simple building blocks (molecules, colloids) to form complex superstructures. This research harnesses the progress in self-assembly, soft materials, and additive manufacturing to design a new class of multiresponsive microscopic building blocks. The microblocks will be based on 3D printed, self-propelled particles that respond to chemical concentration gradients, light, and external magnetic or electric fields. Exploiting the progress in nanofabrication and characterization of functionalized 3D-printed microscopic building blocks, we will target the most challenging question in active matter: What are the fundamental principles controlling the hierarchical organization of materials out of equilibrium? The main research thrusts include: (i) Fabricating active microblocks with multiresponsive behaviors, (ii) exploring novel types of self-propulsion, (iii) enabling large-scale hierarchical self-assemblies of microblocks, and (iv) developing novel theoretical approaches. This research advances the DOE mission of controlling matter and energy far away from equilibrium and creating new technologies rivaling those of living organisms. It is also strategically aligned with the goals of a broad initiative on the development of mesoscale materials.