MEMS meets supramolecules: Aligning supramolecular fibers within hydrogel strand using a microfluidic channel

This paper describes the formation of a micro-scale gel strand constructed with self-assembled supramolecular nanofibers fabricated in a microfluidic channel. The supramolecular nanofibers are highly aligned along the axis of the gel strand; this morphology is very different from the bulk gel. Moreover, we found that small molecules are able to diffuse along the supramolecular-nanofiber's axis. We believe that these gel strands could be a useful material to transport small molecules based on the supramolecular interaction.