Controlled growth and form of precipitating microsculptures

Controlled growth and form of precipitating microsculptures

Controlled growth and form of precipitating microsculptures C. N. Kaplan, W. L. Noorduin, L. Li, R. Sadza, L. Folkertsma, J. Aizenberg, L. Mahadevan,  Science  355, 1395-99, 2017.
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Abstract

Controlled self-assembly of three-dimensional shapes holds great potential for fabrication
of functional materials. Their practical realization requires a theoretical framework to
quantify and guide the dynamic sculpting of the curved structures that often arise in
accretive mineralization. Motivated by a variety of bioinspired coprecipitation patterns of
carbonate and silica, we develop a geometrical theory for the kinetics of the growth front
that leaves behind thin-walled complex structures. Our theory explains the range of
previously observed experimental patterns and, in addition, predicts unexplored assembly
pathways. This allows us to design a number of functional base shapes of optical
microstructures, which we synthesize to demonstrate their light-guiding capabilities.
Overall, our framework provides a way to understand and control the growth and form of
functional precipitating microsculptures.