A team of Rice University researchers mapped out how flecks of 2D materials move in liquid ⎯ knowledge that could help scientists assemble macroscopic-scale materials with the same useful properties as their 2D counterparts. Two-dimensional nanomaterials are extremely thin—only several atoms thick—sheet-shaped materials. To take advantage of these unique properties, we have to find ways to turn them into larger-scale materials like films and fibers. The researchers used a fluorescent surfactant, i.e., glowing soap, to tag the nanomaterial samples and render their motion visible. Videos of this motion allowed researchers to map out the trajectories of the samples and determine the relationship between their size and how they move. ""Our final objective with studying these building blocks is to be able to generate macroscopic materials,"" said Angel Martí, a professor of chemistry, bioengineering, materials science, and nanoengineering and chair of Rice's chemistry department.