Methods for orientation and placement of computing devices are presented. Aspects include applying, using a viscous material application device, a layer of a viscous material to a surface of an object, the layer of the viscous material having a plurality of computing devices disposed therein. The layer of the viscous material is allowed to dry during a drying period, wherein each of the plurality of computing devices comprises a first material applied to a first side of each of the plurality of computing devices, the first material having a first characteristic. And each of the plurality of computing devices comprises a second material applied to a second side of each of the plurality of computing devices, the second material having a second characteristic. And each of the plurality of computing devices is configured to perform, during the drying period, a self-orientation operation.

Methods of and systems for assembling a plurality of ferromagnetic components into a grid-array are provided. One method includes applying a vibratory force to a magnetic stage, the magnetic stage comprising a plurality of magnets and spacers arranged in an array; depositing a plurality of ferromagnetic components, each having a ferromagnetic strip, onto the magnetic stage, the vibratory force distributing the plurality of the ferromagnetic components substantially evenly across a surface of the magnetic stage, and wherein the vibratory force aligns at least one of the plurality of ferromagnetic components with a node of maximum magnetic field strength of the magnetic stage; and removing a set of the plurality of ferromagnetic components that are not in a node of maximum magnetic field strength through physical inversion of the magnetic stage.

Discussed is a self-assembly apparatus for a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting devices, and a method for self-assembly of the plurality of semiconductor light-emitting devices, whereby the apparatus includes a chamber accommodating the plurality of semiconductor light-emitting devices and a fluid; a transferor to transfer a substrate to an assembly position; a magnet to apply a magnetic force to the plurality of semiconductor light-emitting devices; a position controller to control a position of the magnet; and a vibration generator in contact with the fluid to generate a vibration in the fluid to separate the plurality of semiconductor light-emitting devices from each other while in the fluid, wherein an electric field is produced in the substrate while the plurality of semiconductor light-emitting devices are moved according to a change of the position of the magnet.