Is self-assembly the future of construction?

The traditional construction process, with its reliance on heavy machinery and skilled labour, has served us well for centuries, but as we look towards a future demanding faster construction time, adaptable living spaces and sustainable solutions, researchers are exploring a revolutionary new concept - self-assembling structures – which could be with us much sooner than you think, writes John Ridgeway.

In the not-too-distant future, we could be looking at building materials that can autonomously move and assemble themselves into a desired form. These programmable components hold immense promise for revolutionising construction, space exploration and even furniture design.

So, how exactly do these structures come together on their own? There are several potential approaches, each pushing the boundaries of material science and engineering.

It starts with programmable materials which could be be embedded with microscopic motors or responsive polymers – actual tiny robots within the materials. These microscopic machines could be triggered by heat, light, or magnetic fields, causing the components to move and connect in a pre-determined sequence, like a miniature, automated construction crew.

Another approach involves materials designed to change their shape upon exposure to specific conditions. Think flat panels that can fold or unfold into specific configurations when triggered. Imagine walls or furniture elements that can adjust their size or function based on user needs.

The potential applications for self-assembling structures are vast and exciting, particularly in situations where rapid construction is needed. Imagine deploying shelters or emergency housing in disaster zones where self-assembling components can quickly form functional buildings. This could significantly reduce response times and provide much-needed relief to affected communities.

The cost and complexity of transporting pre-fabricated structures into space also offers huge possibilities. Self-assembling structures could be a game-changer, allowing for the rapid construction of habitats or research stations on the moon or Mars – as imagined in our image above.

Furniture that can adapt to your needs is also being studied by experts. A chair that transforms into a table, or a bed that adjusts its size based on the number of occupants – could revolutionise furniture design, creating dynamic and space-saving solutions for modern living.

Much of this, of course, is still science fiction and while the possibilities are enticing, self-assembling structures still face many challenges. Designing and programming materials to reliably self-assemble in a controlled manner is a complex engineering feat. Researchers need to ensure the materials can not only move and connect but also withstand various environmental pressures and maintain structural integrity.

Developing and manufacturing these advanced materials is also likely to be expensive initially. As with any new technology, the cost is expected to decrease as production scales up, but initial investment could be a barrier for wider adoption.

Furthermore, ensuring the structures assemble correctly and function safely in real-world scenarios is crucial. Rigorous testing and safety protocols will be essential before we see widespread implementation.

Although self-assembling structures are still in their early stages of development, there have already been some fascinating developments. Magnetic nanoparticles embedding within the materials, have been activated by applying external magnetic fields. It is felt that these particles could be manipulated to cause the components to move and connect in a pre-determined way.

Then there are memory polymers which can be "programmed" to remember a specific shape. When exposed to a trigger like heat, they can revert to that pre-defined form. This technology holds promise for creating self-assembling structures that can unfold or morph into desired configurations.

While the technology is still young, there have already been some fascinating demonstrations of self-assembling structures. Researchers at MIT's Self-Assembly Lab, for example, have developed furniture prototypes made from shape-memory polymers. These chairs and tables can fold flat for easy storage and then unfold into usable structures when heated.

Research in self-assembling structures is ongoing at universities and research institutions around the world and as we have seen, some companies are already exploring the potential of this technology for specific applications.

It means that the development of self-assembling structures could lead to significant changes in how we design, build, and interact with our environment in the future.

Sources:

"Magnetically Actuated Self-Assembly" by Royal Society of Chemistry: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/cp/d2cp03655j

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323885249000164)

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2022.892461

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/cp/d2cp03655