An introduction to tile-based self-assembly

Abstract

In this tutorial, we give a brief introduction to the field of tile-based algorithmic self-assembly. We begin with a description of Winfree's abstract Tile Assembly Model (aTAM) and a few basic exercises in designing tile assembly systems. We then survey a series of results in the aTAM. Next, we introduce the more experimentally realistic kinetic Tile Assembly Model (kTAM) and provide an exercise in error correction within the kTAM, then an overview of kTAM results. We next introduce the 2-Handed Assembly Model (2HAM), which allows entire assemblies to combine with each other in pairs, along with an exercise in developing a 2HAM system, and then give overviews of a series of 2HAM results. Finally, we briefly introduce a wide array of more recently developed models and discuss their various tradeoffs in comparison to the aTAM and each other. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.