Unique properties of supramolecular biomaterials through nonequilibrium self-assembly

In this chapter, we focus on nonequilibrium self-assembly of molecules into supramolecular assemblies. Structures formed via nonequilibrium assembly are exchanging energy and matter with their environment and are thus, by definition, not in equilibrium. We will further subdivide these assemblies in kinetically trapped assemblies, metastable assemblies, and dissipative nonequilibrium assemblies. In the first section, we will explain the subdivision in these classes and their relation with their free-energy landscapes. We will then detail each example with state-of-the-art man-made assemblies and highlight the unique material properties for each class of nonequilibrium assemblies, followed by examples of supramolecular biomaterials for each class. We will close this chapter with a perspective on where the field could benefit from a better understanding and especially better design rules for nonequilibrium assemblies.