Shin-Hyun Kim, Jae Young Sim, Jong-Min Lim and Seung-Man Yang, “Smart Magnetic Janus Particles with Nanoscopic Surface Complexity for Remote-Controlled Locomotion,” Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Accepted for Publication (2010)



Colloidal particles are used as elemental building blocks to construct biofunctional nanostructures. In particular, multidimensional periodic arrangements of colloidal particles such as planar arrays and spherical assemblies can be used in a wide range of biological fields. The spatial regularity of such structures at the submicron-scale gives rise to special features such as a photonic bandgap (PBG) and selective permeability, which cannot be achieved by single colloidal particles. Recent advances in microfluidics technologies enable the fabrication of designed microparticles of equal size and shape in a continuous manner. Such microparticles have great potential for use in high-throughput screening and immunoassays. In this article, we review the current state-of-the-art in regard to colloidal assemblies and microparticles prepared by microfluidics for biological applications. This review consists of five main sections: (1) surface modification methods, (2) two dimensional (2D) and (3) three dimensional (3D) colloidal assemblies, (4) confined regular structures, and (5) novel fabrication strategies for advanced colloidal assemblies. In each section, we discuss not only the fabrication routes for biofunctional materials but also the characteristics of the materials and their biological applications. Finally, we outline the future perspectives for biofunctional colloidal materials.




Janus microspheres composed of superhydrophobic and hydrophilic hemispherical surfaces were prepared using photocurable Pickering emulsion droplets. Upon placement at an air-water interface, an impregnable superhydrophobic barrier with high flexibility is formed. These microspheres have great potential in size-dependent semipermeable membranes, floating micromachines, and superhydrophobic coatings.

Kaist Superlattice Nanomaterials Lab

Angewandte Chemie International Edition