A dynamic model for automated control of directed self-assembly of colloidal particles at low densities

Directed self-assembly of colloidal particles is a promising route for the fabrication of advanced materials with novel properties. However, the formation of defect-free non-periodic structures is difficult to achieve without active control. Dynamic models can determine optimal input trajectories of manipulated variables during directed self-assembly. This paper presents a dynamic model for the simulation of particle trajectories in a microfluidic device in the presence of an electric field with time-varying properties, which can be used to predict the dynamic development of the particle density distribution. The model is based on first principles and has been experimentally validated at low particle densities. It has great promise to be used for model-based control of directed self-assembly of colloidal particles.