Self-Organizing Matter

Abstract

In this talk we will explore how complexity can emerge in the solid state from to the interplay between interplay chemical reactions and crystallization phenomena. Inspired by biological processes, we design physical/chemical schemes to self-organize complex materials and develop new chiral amplification methods for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure building blocks. We will show new ways to control crystallization, material composition, shape and hierarchical organization of mineralized structures and the design of physical/chemical feedback mechanisms to self-correct and amplify the emergence of complexity. Although this work is very fundamental in nature, we will also explore how this research can directly impact important societal challenges.