Nonuniform electric fields cause polarizable particles to move through an effect known as dielectrophoresis (DEP). Additionally, the particles themselves create nonuniform fields due to their induced dipoles. When the nonuniform field of one particle causes another to move, it represents a path to hierarchical assembly termed mutual DEP (mDEP). Anisotropic particles potentially provide further opportunities for assembly through intense and intricate local field profiles. Here, we construct a theoretical framework for describing anisotropic particles as templates for assembly through mDEP by considering the motion of small nanoparticles near larger anisotropic nanoparticles. Using finite element analysis, we study eight particle shapes and compute their field enhancement and polarizability in an orientation‐specific manner. Strikingly, we find a more than tenfold enhancement in the field near certain particle shapes, potentially promoting mDEP. To more directly relate the field intensity to the anticipated assembly outcome, we compute the volume experiencing each field enhancement versus particle shape and orientation. Finally, we provide a framework for predicting how mixtures of two distinct particle species will begin to assemble in a manner that allows for the identification of conditions that kinetically bias assembly toward specific hierarchical outcomes.

中文翻译：

---

具有介电泳的分层组装理论和粒子各向异性的作用

非均匀电场导致可极化粒子通过称为介电泳 (DEP) 的效应移动。此外，粒子本身由于其感应偶极子而产生非均匀场。当一个粒子的非均匀场导致另一个粒子移动时，它代表了一种称为相互 DEP (mDEP) 的分层组装路径。各向异性粒子可能通过强烈而复杂的局部场剖面为组装提供进一步的机会。在这里，我们通过考虑小纳米粒子在较大的各向异性纳米粒子附近的运动，构建了一个理论框架，用于将各向异性粒子描述为通过 mDEP 组装的模板。使用有限元分析，我们研究了八种粒子形状，并以特定方向的方式计算它们的场增强和极化率。引人注目的是，我们发现在某些颗粒形状附近的场中增强了十倍以上，可能会促进 mDEP。为了更直接地将场强与预期的组装结果联系起来，我们计算了经历每个场增强与粒子形状和方向的体积。最后，我们提供了一个框架，用于预测两种不同粒子种类的混合物将如何开始组装，这种方式允许识别在动力学上偏向于特定分层结果的组装条件。