We seek to create close packed tetrahedral clusters. Our method uses a glue particle to which cluster particles attach. We expand on previous methods by allowing the cluster particles to remain...Show moreWe seek to create close packed tetrahedral clusters. Our method uses a glue particle to which cluster particles attach. We expand on previous methods by allowing the cluster particles to remain mobile during clustering. We do this by using unpolymerised TPM droplets as glue particles and use lipid biotin linkers which diffuse over the surface of this droplet. NeutrAvidin coated polystyrene beads are used as the cluster particles. We describe the protocol for creating these clusters and verify the mobility of the cluster particles.Show less
Two different types of colloidal particles were synthesized: 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TPM) particles with a diameter of 1.00 ± 0.04 μm and cross-linked polystyrene (PS) particles...Show moreTwo different types of colloidal particles were synthesized: 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TPM) particles with a diameter of 1.00 ± 0.04 μm and cross-linked polystyrene (PS) particles with a diameter of 1.38 ± 0.03 μm. These colloids were used to form close-packed colloidal clusters using a Salting Out-Quenching technique developed by Yake et al. [1] By analysing optical microscopy images, the cluster size distribution was determined. Finally, the colloidal clusters were swollen with toluene or monomer to permanently fuse the colloids together. During the swelling process, the particles folded back into close-packed structures to minimise the second moment of the mass distribution.Show less
