Ilevski, FilipMirica, Katherine A.Ellerbee, Audrey K.Whitesides, George2014-09-302011Ilievski, F., Mirica, K. A., Ellerbee, A. K. and Whitesides, G. M. 2011. "Templated Self-Assembly in Three Dimensions Using Magnetic Levitation." Soft Matter 7, no. 19: 9113-9118.1744-683Xhttp://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:12967699Although self-assembly (SA) in two dimensions (2D) is highly developed (especially using surfaces as a templates), SA in three dimensions (3D) has been more difficult. This paper describes a strategy for SA in 3D of diamagnetic plastic objects (mm- to cm-sized in this work, but in principle in sizes from [similar]10 μm to m) supported in a paramagnetic fluid by a non-uniform magnetic field. The magnetic field and its gradient levitate the objects, template their self-assembly, and influence the shape of the assembled cluster. The structure of the 3D assembling objects can be further directed using hard mechanical templates—either the walls of the container or co-levitating components—which coincide spatially with the soft template of the magnetic field gradient. Mechanical agitation anneals the levitating clusters; the addition of photocurable adhesive, followed by UV illumination, can permanently fuse components together.en-USJournal Article2014-09-3010.1039/C1SM05962A