Physicists have used DNA to combine nanoparticles into the desired structure. This is how new materials will be created

Researchers are developing new materials, but it is not always possible to create them with a specific structure

or properties. The most difficult thing is to work with nanoobjects, since there are not many methods for controlling such a structure. 

Physicists in a new work investigated howcapture and manipulate the behavior of DNA molecules on particle surfaces. They conducted experiments using micrometer-sized particles. They dipped them into the solution and attached sticky-ended DNA linkers. This helped combine nanoparticles and, as a result, create an array of elements with the desired structure.

DNA linkers can be used to controlthe number of bonds of each particle with neighboring ones - for example, limit the number of bonds to 1, 2, 10 or even 20 particles. This feature significantly expands the capabilities of scientists in the design of new materials.

The researchers note that their new methodwill help other authors program the properties of a certain material so that it is elastic, brittle, or even can self-heal after damage.

All this is possible due to the fact that bonds between particles can be created and destroyed reversibly.

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