Complex nanoscale architectures of inorganic materials have a range of potential applications, but they can be extremely challenging to produce. Now researchers in Israel have, for the first time, identified conditions for the self-assembly of magnetite nanocrystals into helical structures. To do this, they, exploited the interplay between competing van der Waals and magnetic forces. The development may be useful for catalysis and nanotemplating, as well as optical and magnetic nanotechnology.
http://nanotechweb.org/cws/article/tech/58090
