Templated assembly by selective removal: simultaneous, selective assembly and model verification

The use of templated assembly by selective removal to simultaneously and selectively assemble silica microspheres of two different diameters into designated sites on a surface was demonstrated. Microspheres with diameters of 636?nm and 2?μm were assembled from fluid onto templates patterned to contain holes that matched the shapes and sizes of the spherical components. The assembly experiments were carried out for a range of experimental conditions, including different fluid compositions and different intensities for the fluid excitation. A comparison of the measured assembly yield with the yield predicted using a model based on the work of Jung and co-workers (Jung et al 2005 Nano Lett.?5 2188-94) shows excellent agreement, indicating the applicability of the model over a broad range of experimental conditions. High yield is both expected and observed when the ratio of the moment that retains components in their locations to the moment that removes components from their locations is greater than 1, as long as stirring of the fluid medium is sufficient.