Most molecules made by chemists are extremely small, much smaller than the size of cells or other biological machinery essential to life. My project aims to make structures out of these small molecules which are thousands of times larger and consequently have different and useful properties.

Molecules in close proximity interact with each other and can self-assemble. This assembly can be controlled by changing the solvents, concentrations and temperatures used in order to form different shaped and sized structures and this is what my project aims to accomplish.

For example, molecules can stack on top of one another to form cylinders which can be controlled so they are all the same length and therefore have the same properties. These cylinders can potentially be used as delivery systems for DNA for gene therapy or drug molecules.

Alternatively, if the molecules can conduct electrons the cylinders could be used as wires which may be used in flexible electronics. As they are made of carbon and hydrogen rather than metals these wires can be made low-cost and biodegradable.