Research > Faculty Projects

CAREER: Programmed Robotic Self Assembly

Principal Investigator
Eric Klavins

Sponsor(s)
National Science Foundation (NSF)

Award Period
02/01/2004 - 01/31/2009

Abstract
Our ability to engineer at the nano scale is presently restricted to a handful of simple techniques. Nevertheless, we are confronted with examples in nature of sophisticated machines, such the mechanical motor in the tail of a flagellate, that seem to spontaneously self assemble. Self assembly (SA) occurs when many similar parts are placed in an environment that thermodynamically favors their forming regular arrays. Many researchers have used SA to build simple systems. It is difficult, however, to assemble complicated structures.

The PI proposes to help address this problem by supposing that the parts to be assembled have control over the binding interactions in which they participate, developing a theory and practice of Programmed SA. This will be examined using macroscale "programmable parts" with local sensing and electro-mechanical binding sites. The goal is to take an assembly specification, compile programs onto each programmable part so that, when placed in a suitable environment, they self assemble into copies of the desired assembly.

Studying self assembly at a scale where engineering is relatively easy will inform the task of engineering SA at other scales. Success will yield a useful class of robotic self assembling structures; a theory for their design, operation, and the dynamics of self assembling systems more generally.

Updates or corrections to this page should be sent to gheaton@u.washington.edu.