The entropic bond in colloidal crystals

Chemical bonding, in various forms, is integral to the structure of matter and the function of living systems. However, what are the minimal requirements to form a bond? We show that classical systems governed solely by entropy exhibit unconventional, entropy-mediated bonding. We also show the description of such systems in terms of bonds provides better understanding for the design of materials from nanoscale building blocks. Our results suggest well-defined analogs of chemical bonds exist in a broad range of unconventional systems.