CHEMISTRY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

TOPIC: SWEET SELF ASSEMBLY

GIVEN BY: ANANYA RATH

AISSCE ROLL NUMBER :________________

 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the project work

entitled “sweet self assembly” submitted to
“ Tanuja Mahapatra” , is a project report of
work done by me under the guidance of
my parents and subject teacher ,this project
is submitted in partial fulfilment for CBSE. I
further declare that the work reported in
this project has not been submitted & will
not be submitted either in part or full to
any other school

SIGN OF THE STUDENT: ____________________

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is always a pleasure to remind the fine people in

“Kendriya Vidyalaya Berhampur” Who helped in doing
this project work.
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to
my teacher Mrs.Tanuja Mahapatra who gave me the
golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on the
topic sweet self assembly, which also helped me in
doing a lot of Research and i came to know about so
many new things I am really thankful to them.
Secondly i would also like to thank my parents and
friends who helped me a lot in finalizing this project
within the limited time frame.

Sign of the student: _____________

 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that ‘ananya rath’ ,student of class
‘12th B’ has successfully completed her project work on
the topic “sweet self assembly” under the guidance of
her chemistry teacher “Mrs. Tanuja Mahapatra” .

Sign of internal:_________________________

Sign of principal:_________________________

Sign of external:___________________________
 INDEX

INTRODUCTION
NEED OF THE PROJECT
THEORY
SWEET SELF ASSEMBLY
EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS
EFFECTS ON TEENAGERS
GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF THIS DATA
REMEDIAL SUGGESTION
CONCLUSION

BIBILOGRAPHY
 INTRODUTION
Self-assembly is a process in which a disordered system of pre-existing components
forms an organized structure or pattern as a consequence of specific, local
interactions among the components themselves, without external direction. When
the constitutive components are molecules, the process is termedmolecular self-
assembly.

Self-assembly can be classified as either static or dynamic. In static self-assembly, the

ordered state forms as a system approaches equilibrium, reducing itsfree energy.
However, in dynamic self-assembly, patterns of pre-existing components organized
by specific local interactions are not commonly described as "self-assembled" by
scientists in the associated disciplines. These structures are better described as "self-
organized", although these terms are often used interchangeably.
Self-assembly in the classic sense can be defined as the
spontaneous and reversible organization of molecular
units into ordered structures by non-covalent interactions.
The first property of a self-assembled system that this
definition suggests is the spontaneity of the self-assembly
process: the interactions responsible for the formation of
the self-assembled system act on a strictly local level—in
other words, the nanostructure builds itself.
Self-assembled nano-structure is an object that appears as
a result of ordering and aggregation of individual nano-
scale objects guided by some physical principle.
Self-assembled nanostructure arises in the strong non-
equilibrium conditions. The most famous example of self-
assembly phenomenon is the occurrence of the life on
Earth. It is plausible to hypothesize that it happens
because the sun generates a strong temperate gradient in
its environment. This general idea has been confirmed in
the experiment of self-assembly of carbon nanotubes.

Features of self assembly

At this point, one may argue that any chemical reaction driving
atoms and molecules to assemble into larger structures, such
as precipitation, could fall into the category of self-assembly.
However, there are at least three distinctive features that make
self-assembly a distinct concept.
Order
First, the self-assembled structure must have a
higher order than the isolated components, be it a shape or a
particular task that the self-assembled entity may perform. This
is generally not true in chemical reactions, where an ordered
state may proceed towards a disordered state depending on
thermodynamic parameters.
Interactions
The second important aspect of self-assembly is the key role of
slack interactions (e.g. Van der Waals, capillary, , hydrogen
bonds) with respect to more "traditional" covalent, ionic,
or metallic bonds. Although typically less energetic by a factor
of 10, these weak interactions play an important role in
materials synthesis. It can be instructive to note how slack
interactions hold a prominent place in materials, especially in
biological systems, although they are often considered marginal
with respect to "strong" (i.e. covalent, etc.) interactions. For
instance, they determine the physical properties of liquids,
the solubility of solids, and the organization of molecules in
biological membranes.
Building blocks
The third distinctive feature of self-assembly is that the
building blocks are not only atoms and molecules, but span a
wide range of nano- and mesoscopicstructures, with different
chemical compositions, shapes and functionalities.[10] Research
into possible three-dimensional shapes of self-assembling
micrites examines Platonic solids (regular polyhedral). The
term ‘micrite’ was created by DARPA to refer to sub-millimeter
sized microrobots, whose self-organizing abilities may be
compared with those of slime mold. Recent examples of novel
building blocks include polyhedra and patchy particles.
Examples also included microparticles with complex
geometries, such as hemispherical, dimer, discs, rods, molecules
, as well as multimers. These nanoscale building blocks can in
turn be synthesized through conventional chemical routes or by
other self-assembly strategies such as Directional Entropic
Forces.

NEED OF THE PROJECT

The use of drugs by people hoping to boost mental performance is

rising worldwide, finds the largest ever study of the trend. In a
survey of tens of thousands of people, 14% reported using
stimulants at least once in the preceding 12 months in 2017, up
from 5% in 2015.
The non-medical use of substances — often dubbed smart
drugs — to increase memory or concentration is known as
pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE), and it rose in all
15 nations included in the survey. The study looked at prescription
medications such as Adderall and Ritalin — prescribed medically
to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — as
well as the sleep-disorder medication modafinil and illegal
stimulants such as cocaine.
 EXPERIMENTA L DETAILS

The "Sweet Self-Assembly" program focuses on the creation of macro capsules using self-
assembly techniques. Participants make edible macro capsules using techniques similar to those
being used in laboratories to make nanocapsules or “smart drugs”.

Aim

Self-assembly can be used to create new materials including nanocapsules.

Goals
As a result of participating in this program, visitors will be able to:
1. Identify self-assembly as a process by which molecules and cells form
themselves into specific, ordered structures under the right conditions.
2. Acknowledge that self-assembly can be used by scientists to create
objects on the nano-scale.
3. Understand that nano is very, very small.
4. Discover that scientists are using self-assembly to create nanocapsules
which can be less harmful than regular medicines.

Program-Specific Background
Alginate Beads
Sodium alginate, a seaweed extract, is a common thickening agent found in
products such as syrups, Cool Whip, ice cream and fruit filled snacks.
Calcium chloride is a type of salt. When the two solutions come into
contact, a chemical reaction occurs. Alginate molecules are long and stringy
and have multiple negative ions. Sodium (Na+) bonded to the alginate has
a positive charge which balances out the negative charge of the alginate.
When the sodium alginate solution is dropped into the calcium chloride
bath, calcium ions (Ca2+) replace the sodium ions. This reaction causes the
long chains of alginate molecules to form a gel and self-assemble around
the filler ingredient (which is combined in with the sodium alginate
solution) creating capsules or beads. This process is used extensively in
molecular gastronomy, a new branch of cooking. In molecular gastronomy,
chefs will mix a variety of favors to create “fake caviar.”

Self-Assembly and Nanotechnology

Through scientific innovation, nanotechnologists now have the ability to

move and arrange atoms. Though an amazing feat, this process remains a
time-consuming and impractical solution towards building macroscale
quantities of nanoscale objects. To streamline this process, scientists are
experimenting with a process called self-assembly.
Common in the natural world, self-assembly is a process by which
molecules and cells organize themselves into functional structures. This
happens millions of times a day in a variety of ways. In fact, all living things,
including human beings, contain structures that are self-assembled. A
prime example in humans is the construction of DNA. Genetic codes and
sequences guide the process of self-assembly, which occurs under specific
conditions.
Nanotechnologists use self-assembly to make the manufacturing of
nanomaterials fast and cheap. The trick to self-assembly lies in the
understanding how specific conditions like temperature and pressure affect
how molecules interact as the conditions are often unique to each self-
assembly process. Scientists can use molecules’ natural tendencies to bond
in very specific patterns under certain conditions to build smaller, more
complex, and greater quantities of structures.
Nanocapsules
Self-assembly is being used extensively in the creation of nanocapsules. A
nanocapsule is any nanoparticle that has an outside shell and a
corresponding hollow interior. Ranging in size, these capsules are often
submicroscopic, but constructed from millions of nanoparticles. The interior
can be filled with a number of different substances. These nano capsules,
also referred to as “smart drugs,” can be used to create a more targeted
drug delivery system. The capsules are created with specific chemical
receptors that will only bind to specific cells. This breakthrough allows
medicine to go directly to the diseased cells without affecting the healthy
cells. It also allows for lower dosages of medicine as it will go directly to the
needed source. This could result in as much as a 10,000-fold decrease in
drug doses. With such a decrease, the harmful side effects of treatments
such as chemotherapy could be greatly minimized.

Materials
• Sodium Alginate (Food Grade)
• Calcium Chloride (Food Grade)
• Blender
• Four Bowls – alginate, water, calcium chloride, and water rinse
• Flavoring (Ice Cream Toppings, snow cone flavors, etc)
• Food Coloring (Optional – To intensify color)
• Strainers
• Eye Droppers or Needleless Syringes
• Meter Stick

Procedure
Step 1:
Making the solutions:
Mixture 1:
Mix ½ teaspoon of sodium alginate powder and 1 cup of water in a
blender. Blend until the sodium alginate powder has fully dissolved.
Add in 4 tablespoons of selected flavor. Blend again.
Let sit for 15-30 minutes to remove air bubbles.
Mixture 2:
Measure 2 ¼ cups of warm water into a large bowl or plastic container. Dissolve
¾ teaspoon of calcium chloride into the water and stir.

Procedure and Discussion:

Today, we are using self-assembly to make capsules. Have you ever heard of
self-assembly? No? Well, you might not have heard of it, but you wouldn’t be
here without it. Self-assembly is a process by which molecules and cells organize
themselves into functional structures. It happens naturally millions of times a
day and creates things like snowflakes, viruses and even you. Let’s do a yummy
experiment, so we can learn more about this process.
Procedure
Try This!
1. Fill a pipette or needleless syringe with the alginate solution.
2. Put a few drops in the water bowl. Ask the visitors what they see.
3. Put the strainer into the calcium chloride solution.
4. Slowly squeeze out small drops of the alginate solution into the strainer while
it is submerged in the calcium chloride bath.
5. Results: Sodium alginate beads will form immediately upon impact with the
calcium chloride solution.
6. Rinse the beads in a clean water bath before allowing consumption

What's Going On?

What happened when the sodium alginate solution hit the water bath?
Nothing, right? The solution dropped to the bottom and spread out. Okay,
now what happened when the sodium alginate solution hit the calcium chloride
solution? That’s right; it created little balls or capsules. Now, I’m sure you are
asking yourself, “What is sodium alginate and calcium chloride and how do they
do that?”
Sodium Alginate is a seaweed extract used as a common thickening agent. You
eat it all the time in food like Cool Whip®, syrup and ice cream. Calcium
chloride, the stuff we mixed in the water for our ‘bath’, is basically a type of salt,
but different from table salt. When the two come into contact, a chemical
reaction occurs that causes the sodium alginate to self-assemble around the
filler ingredient and create the nice, round capsules you see. And since we used
food-grade chemicals with our [insert flavor], they are safe to eat. Want to give
one a try?
The cool thing is that scientists are using this same process in a lab to make
really, really, really, really small nanocapsules. Have you ever heard of nano?
Nano is just a measurement that means really, really small. How small is nano?
Well, a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. That means it is one billion
times smaller than this meter stick here (show meter stick). Do you think you
could break this stick in a billion pieces? It would be pretty tough and the pieces
would be really, really tiny. Nano is tiny!
Scientists are actually in labs creating capsules just like we did here but on a
much smaller scale. It would be really hard to make something you can’t see
with your eyes, right? Well, scientists are using that process we talked about,
self-assembly, to make things come together like they want them to. They set
the right conditions and voila, they have really, really tiny capsules with
medicine inside. These capsules are so small that we can’t even see the individual
capsules with our eyes.
They have made these capsules even more special by “programming” them with
special chemical receptors that stick only to sick cells. Currently, some
medicines are really strong and can harm healthy cells as well as the sick cells.
This is one of the reasons why treatments like chemotherapy for cancer are so
hard on the body. With these nanocapsules, the medicine will only go to and
affect the sick cells. Also, since the medicine goes straight to where it needs to
go, they can use less medicine which is a really good thing. Just imagine, these
really, really tiny nanocapsules which you can’t individually see with your eyes
can make you better, faster.

Conclusion:
Self-assembly can help us make some really great things, like our yummy big
capsules or really tiny nanocapsules that can help sick people get better. As long
as scientists set the right conditions, they can make these capsules quickly and
easily. It’s amazing that something so small could make a major impact one day
on medic
Self-assembly can help us make some really great things, like our yummy big
capsules or really tiny nano capsules that can help sick people get better. As
long as scientists set the right conditions, they can make these capsules quickly
and easily. It’s amazing that something so small could make a major impact one
day on medic

Schematic representation of self assembly of monomers