1,733 research outputs found
Self-assembly of two-dimensional binary quasicrystals: A possible route to a DNA quasicrystal
We use Monte Carlo simulations and free-energy techniques to show that binary
solutions of penta- and hexavalent two-dimensional patchy particles can form
thermodynamically stable quasicrystals even at very narrow patch widths,
provided their patch interactions are chosen in an appropriate way. Such patchy
particles can be thought of as a coarse-grained representation of DNA multi-arm
`star' motifs, which can be chosen to bond with one another very specifically
by tuning the DNA sequences of the protruding arms. We explore several possible
design strategies and conclude that DNA star tiles that are designed to
interact with one another in a specific but not overly constrained way could
potentially be used to construct soft quasicrystals in experiment. We verify
that such star tiles can form stable dodecagonal motifs using oxDNA, a
realistic coarse-grained model of DNA
Intrinsic universality and the computational power of self-assembly
This short survey of recent work in tile self-assembly discusses the use of
simulation to classify and separate the computational and expressive power of
self-assembly models. The journey begins with the result that there is a single
universal tile set that, with proper initialization and scaling, simulates any
tile assembly system. This universal tile set exhibits something stronger than
Turing universality: it captures the geometry and dynamics of any simulated
system. From there we find that there is no such tile set in the
noncooperative, or temperature 1, model, proving it weaker than the full tile
assembly model. In the two-handed or hierarchal model, where large assemblies
can bind together on one step, we encounter an infinite set, of infinite
hierarchies, each with strictly increasing simulation power. Towards the end of
our trip, we find one tile to rule them all: a single rotatable flipable
polygonal tile that can simulate any tile assembly system. It seems this could
be the beginning of a much longer journey, so directions for future work are
suggested.Comment: In Proceedings MCU 2013, arXiv:1309.104
An aperiodic hexagonal tile
We show that a single prototile can fill space uniformly but not admit a
periodic tiling. A two-dimensional, hexagonal prototile with markings that
enforce local matching rules is proven to be aperiodic by two independent
methods. The space--filling tiling that can be built from copies of the
prototile has the structure of a union of honeycombs with lattice constants of
, where sets the scale of the most dense lattice and takes all
positive integer values. There are two local isomorphism classes consistent
with the matching rules and there is a nontrivial relation between these
tilings and a previous construction by Penrose. Alternative forms of the
prototile enforce the local matching rules by shape alone, one using a
prototile that is not a connected region and the other using a
three--dimensional prototile.Comment: 32 pages, 24 figures; submitted to Journal of Combinatorial Theory
Series A. Version 2 is a major revision. Parts of Version 1 have been
expanded and parts have been moved to a separate article (arXiv:1003.4279
Solvent Mediated Assembly of Nanoparticles Confined in Mesoporous Alumina
The controlled self-assembly of thiol stabilized gold nanocrystals in a
mediating solvent and confined within mesoporous alumina was probed in situ
with small angle x-ray scattering. The evolution of the self-assembly process
was controlled reversibly via regulated changes in the amount of solvent
condensed from an undersaturated vapor. Analysis indicated that the
nanoparticles self-assembled into cylindrical monolayers within the porous
template. Nanoparticle nearest-neighbor separation within the monolayer
increased and the ordering decreased with the controlled addition of solvent.
The process was reversible with the removal of solvent. Isotropic clusters of
nanoparticles were also observed to form temporarily during desorption of the
liquid solvent and disappeared upon complete removal of liquid. Measurements of
the absorption and desorption of the solvent showed strong hysteresis upon
thermal cycling. In addition, the capillary filling transition for the solvent
in the nanoparticle-doped pores was shifted to larger chemical potential,
relative to the liquid/vapor coexistence, by a factor of 4 as compared to the
expected value for the same system without nanoparticles.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, appeared in Phys. Rev.
Forcing nonperiodicity with a single tile
An aperiodic prototile is a shape for which infinitely many copies can be
arranged to fill Euclidean space completely with no overlaps, but not in a
periodic pattern. Tiling theorists refer to such a prototile as an "einstein"
(a German pun on "one stone"). The possible existence of an einstein has been
pondered ever since Berger's discovery of large set of prototiles that in
combination can tile the plane only in a nonperiodic way. In this article we
review and clarify some features of a prototile we recently introduced that is
an einstein according to a reasonable definition. [This abstract does not
appear in the published article.]Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures. This article has been substantially revised and
accepted for publication in the Mathematical Intelligencer and is scheduled
to appear in Vol 33. Citations to and quotations from this work should
reference that publication. If you cite this work, please check that the
published form contains precisely the material to which you intend to refe
Structural performance of two aerobrake hexagonal heat shield panel concepts
Structural sizing and performance are presented for two structural concepts for an aerobrake hexagonal heat shield panel. One concept features a sandwich construction with an aluminum honeycomb core and thin quasi-isotropic graphite-epoxy face sheets. The other concept features a skin-rib isogrid construction with thin quasi-isotropic graphite-epoxy skins and graphite-epoxy ribs oriented at 0, +60, and -60 degs along the panel. Linear static, linear bifurcation buckling, and nonlinear static analyses were performed to compare the structural performance of the two panel concepts and assess their feasibility for a lunar transfer vehicle aerobrake application
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