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Self-assembly is a key coordination mechanism for distributed systems of intelligent agents and a powerful bottom-up technology for micro/nanofabrication. The controlled self-assembly and dynamic reconfiguration of large ensembles of microscopic particles can effectively bridge these domains to construct innovative systems. In this perspective, we present SelfSys, a novel platform for the automated control of the fluidic self-assembly of sets of polymeric microparticles. SelfSys is built around a water-filled microfluidic chamber whereby self-assembly is driven by the agitation modes induced by a coupled ultrasonic actuator. Microparticle dynamics is imaged, tracked and analyzed in real-time by an integrated software framework which in turn algorithmically controls the actuation modes of the microchamber. The closed control loop is fully automated and can direct the stochastic assembly of microparticle clusters of preset dimension. Control issues specific to SelfSys implementation are discussed, and its potential applications presented. The SelfSys platform embodies at microscale the automatedself-assembly control paradigm we first demonstrated in an earlier platform, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

In this paper, we present the theoretical background, design, fabrication and characterization of a micromachined chamber assisting the fluidic self-assembly of micro-electro-mechanical systems in a bulk liquid. Exploiting bubble-induced acoustic microstreaming, several structurally-robust driving modes are excited inside the chamber. The modes promote the controlled aggregation and disaggregation of microcomponents relying on strong and reproducible fluid mixing effects achieved even at low Reynolds numbers. The functionality of the microfluidic chamber is demonstrated through the fast and repeatable geometrical pairing and subsequent unpairing of polymeric microcylinders. Relying only on drag and radiation forces and on the natural hydrophobicity of SU-8 in aqueous solutions, assembly yields of approximately 50% are achieved in no longer than ten seconds of agitation. The system can stochastically control the assembly process and significantly reduce the time-to-assembly of building blocks., info:eu-repo/semantics/published