In situ real-time imaging of self-sorted supramolecular nanofibres

Designing self-sorting events, and understanding their dynamics, in synthetic supramolecular assembly is a promising route towards complex, functional artificial systems. The formation of self-sorted supramolecular nanofibres has now been imaged in situ, in real time, by confocal laser microscopy. A stochastic, non-synchronous fibre formation through a cooperative mechanism was observed.