The Science of Self-Assembly

Soap-bubbles, crystals and ant colonies; self-assembly is everywhere, yet few know what self-assembly is and how it became an important scientific concept.

In my work, I have explored the history of self-assembly, arguing that it emerged as a key concept in the formation of molecular biology and as a fundamental principle of biological organization. Since then, chemists - drawn to the intricate and delicate architectures found in living systems - have sought to replicate self-assembly through nanofabrication methods. Today, the concept is largely shaped by the expanding supramolecular literature, which increasingly focuses on designing systems that operate out of equilibrium.

I have also examined the definitions of self-assembly and self-organization, raising critical concerns about framing these concepts solely in thermodynamic terms. Rather than seeking a universal definition, I suggest approaching scientific definitions in a pragmatic and processual way, emphasizing the explanatory and communicative roles that self-assembly and self-organization can play in advancing the scientific study of patterns.