Crystal tectonics: Novel routes to the ordered aggregation and self assembly of inorganic solids

The synthesis of anisotropic inorganic materials via the crystal tectonics route is investigated. The principle of self assembly is drawn from the ligand-receptor type interactions in biological systems. An example of biotectonics, the formation of the magnetotactic bacteria, shows the potential of biomimetic strategies for controlling crystallochemical strategies for tailored fabrication of crystalline materials. It is demonstrated that non-reversible aggregation of nanodimensional inorganic solids into three dimensional arrays can be promoted by ligand receptor interactions.