Toward Controllable Self-assembly of Microstructures:  Selective Functionalization and Fabrication of Patterned Spheres

Two methods have been developed to fabricate spheres with gold caps on selective areas so that the self-assembly of these spheres can be potentially carried out in a controlled fashion. The patterned spheres are further functionalized with self-assembled groups, such as DNAs, which allows the formation of the second gold cap on the same sphere.