3. Explain qualitatively the self-assembly process of nanoscale material synthesis
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Answer:
The empirical definition of self-assembly is typically given as a phenomenon where the components of a system assemble themselves to form a larger functional unit. This spontaneous organization can be due to direct specific interaction, collective effects, and/or occur indirectly through their environment. This definition mirrors the one provided by Nature.com and is applicable to a variety of components regardless of their dimensions. The thermodynamics-based definition of self-assembly was introduced by Nicholas A. Kotov and describes self-assembly as a process where components of the system acquire non-random spatial distribution with respect to each other and the boundaries of the system.[2] This definition allows one to account for mass and energy fluxes taking place in the self-assembly processes and is specifically applicable to the processes of spontaneous organization of nanoparticles with each other and with the boundaries of the system.