Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wesley Flavell, Andreas Neophytou, Angela Demetriadou, Tim Albrecht, Dwaipayan Chakrabarti
Summary: This article presents a method for programmed self-assembly of single colloidal gyroid crystals using rationally designed patchy spheres. The single colloidal gyroid has a wide photonic bandgap and rich chiroptical properties, making it an attractive chiral photonic crystal.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minkyu Kim, Hansol Lee, Randall T. Snipes, Moon Jong Han, Vladimir V. Tsukruk
Summary: This study introduces biosynthetic light-emitting adhesive materials based on chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal-polyelectrolyte complexes, which exhibit strong, dynamic, and switchable photoluminescence. These materials can be utilized for security optical coding, bio-optical memory, hidden communication, and biochemical sensing.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tianwei Duan, Jing Ai, Yingying Duan, Lu Han, Shunai Che
Summary: Chiral superstructures can be created by inducing anisotropic epitaxial growth of chiral CdSe/CdS nanorods and their self-assembly into chiral nematic-like films. The resulting films exhibit excitonic absorption- and scattering-based optical activities, as well as circularly polarized luminescence, all thanks to their hierarchical chirality.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinghua Jiang, Xinyu Wang, Oluwafemi Isaac Akomolafe, Wentao Tang, Zhawure Asilehan, Kamal Ranabhat, Rui Zhang, Chenhui Peng
Summary: Scientists have designed synthetic molecular motors inspired by nanomotors in nature to drive the motion of microscale objects through cooperative reorganization. In this study, topological vortices are imprinted in monolayers of azobenzene molecules, which induce the collective motion of liquid crystal molecules and the spatiotemporal evolutions of nematic disclination networks. The collective transport and reconfiguration of colloidal assemblies can be controlled by manipulating the irradiated polarization, opening opportunities for programmable colloidal machines and smart composite materials.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Andrey O. Leonov
Summary: The existence of topological localized states and their condensation mechanism are fundamental principles in condensed matter systems. By studying skyrmions and torons in thin layers with competing surface-induced and bulk anisotropies, researchers can understand their properties and interactions, providing insights for potential applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fuqiang Wan, Kun Wang, Chenglong Zhu, Hang Ping, Hao Xie, Hao Wang, Weimin Wang, Zhengyi Fu
Summary: The design and development of biomimetic advanced materials can achieve precise control of micro/nanostructures. By assembling filamentous M13 phage in capillary confinement, uniform chiral nematic structures can be formed. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the film can be tuned by incorporating inorganic silica component with various contents.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
V. Yashunsky, D. J. G. Pearce, C. Blanch-Mercader, F. Ascione, P. Silberzan, L. Giomi
Summary: Collectively migrating cells in living organisms are often guided by their local environment, including physical barriers and internal interfaces. In this study, the impact of physical boundaries on highly active, chaotic, multicellular systems is investigated. The researchers demonstrate the presence of self-organized defects at the boundary which act as local sources of chiral active stress generating directed edge flows. This work highlights the importance of topology and chirality in the emergence of collective cellular flows at boundaries.
Review
Acoustics
Robertus Wahyu N. Nugroho, Blaise L. Tardy, Sayed M. Eldin, R. A. Ilyas, Melbi Mahardika, Nanang Masruchin
Summary: Ultrasonication is an effective method for extracting and processing plant-based cellulose nanocrystals. It can optimize the properties of CNCs for the fabrication of sustainable materials. The parameters of ultrasonication, such as time, amplitude, and energy input, play a dominant role in reducing particle size and altering morphology. Furthermore, ultrasonication also impacts the dispersion state and surface chemistry of CNCs. This technology has important implications for the design of photonic materials using nanocrystal-based celluloses.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Haiyang Zhang, Xuan Feng, Xiuyang Xia, Jiao Zhu, Huaguang Wang, Ran Ni, Zexin Zhang
Summary: The self-assembly of hybrid colloids, driven by chemical concentration gradients generated by photocatalytic reactions, is investigated. Different shapes of the colloids lead to the formation of assemblies with distinct lattice structures, validated by computer simulations. Moreover, the assemblies transition from lattices to chains as the attraction between the colloids increases. These findings demonstrate the unique capability of photoresponsive hybrid colloids in shape-dependent self-assembly, offering a practical and versatile approach to control self-assembly at the microscale.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johannes Menath, Jack Eatson, Robert Brilmayer, Annette Andrieu-Brunsen, D. Martin A. Buzza, Nicolas Vogel
Summary: Researchers have successfully designed two-dimensional assemblies with structural complexity by utilizing the distinct interfacial morphology of soft particles. They found that core-shell particles can form complex chain and cluster structures under interfacial compression. Through a combination of experimental, simulation, and theoretical analysis, the interaction parameter of the system was narrowed down to between 0.9 and 2.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dinesh Kumar Sahu, Surajit Dhara
Summary: We studied the electrophoresis behavior of metal-dielectric Janus particles with dipolar director symmetry in two nematic liquid crystals and found that the Janus dipolar particles exhibit higher propelling speed and electrophoretic efficiency compared to other Janus particles.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liao-Yuan Yao, Lin Qin, Ziyong Chen, Jonathan Lam, Vivian Wing-Wah Yam
Summary: This study explores the importance and mechanism of chiral self-assembly and self-sorting in gold cluster systems. By introducing ligands with different chirality, unique chiral gold clusters with specific shapes were successfully synthesized. Both homochiral and heterochiral self-sorting processes were observed, as well as the transfer of chirality from ligands to gold clusters, resulting in changes in symmetry.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Natalia Tomasovicova, Marianna Batkova, Ivan Batko, Veronika Lackova, Vlasta Zavisova, Peter Kopcansky, Jan Jadzyn, Peter Salamon, Tibor Toth-Katona
Summary: The orientation of a nematic liquid crystal on a solid substrate and on a nanoparticle surface induces self-assembly of anisometric nanoparticles in liquid crystal droplets, providing a novel route for fabricating thin colloidal films with tailored properties.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander Hensley, William M. Jacobs, W. Benjamin Rogers
Summary: DNA-coated colloids can self-assemble into various crystal structures, and we have used microfluidics to quantify the kinetics of crystallization. Our study shows that classical theories can accurately predict nucleation and growth rates, and we have successfully designed large single crystals with specific structural coloration.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Simona G. Fine, Cecile A. C. Chazot
Summary: Chiral nematic liquid crystalline cellulose polymers have been investigated for their ability to self-assemble and reflect light, making them potentially useful as colorimetric sensors. This perspective revisits early research on these materials and explores the factors influencing their self-assembly and optical properties. The article discusses the impact of solubility, viscosity, and hydrogen bonding on mesophase formation and helicoidal arrangement, as well as the efforts to preserve liquid crystalline order in solids and the gaps in understanding the kinetics of self-assembly.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Jun-ichi Fukuda, Andriy Nych, Uliana Ognysta, Slobodan Zumer, Igor Musevic
Summary: This article reviews the theoretical and experimental studies on the formation of half-Skyrmions in thin films of chiral liquid crystals, demonstrating their existence and highlighting their morphology and optical properties. It emphasizes the use of chiral liquid crystal films as an interesting system for investigating topological concepts and photonics applications.
ANNALEN DER PHYSIK
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bohdan Senyuk, Richmond E. Adufu, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: Colloidal particles in liquid crystals induce topological defects and distortions, which can be manipulated by electric fields to achieve colloidal locomotion.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jin-Sheng Wu, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: Liquid crystals, widely used in displays and electro-optics, have the ability to reveal the structure and behavior of various field configurations. Chiral nematic liquid crystals, in particular, provide valuable insights into the study of fractional and integer two-dimensional structures, as well as three-dimensionally localized structures, and show close analogies with other condensed matter systems.
LIQUID CRYSTALS REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Guilhem Poy, Andrew J. Hess, Andrew J. Seracuse, Michael Paul, Slobodan Zumer, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: Researchers demonstrate systems in which optical solitons coexist and interact with topological solitonic structures localized in the molecular alignment field of a soft birefringent medium. The findings could lead to solitonic tractor beams and new light-matter self-patterning phenomena.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jung-Shen B. Tai, Jin-Sheng Wu, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: Researchers have discovered stable Hopf solitons in a liquid crystal material, which are particle-like field distortions with nontrivial topology in three dimensions. By tuning the energetic costs of different gradient components in the molecular alignment field, the stability of Hopf solitons is enhanced. Electric fields allow for the inter-transformation of Hopf solitons between different geometric embodiments and their three-dimensional hopping-like dynamics in response to electric pulses.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bohdan Senyuk, Cuiling Meng, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: This article highlights recent developments in the design, fabrication, and self-assembly of nematic colloidal particles, discussing their physical behaviors at the mesoscale and the capabilities of preprogramming their behavior. The article also discusses recent progress in particle-induced defects, elastic multipoles, self-assembly, and dynamics, as well as open issues and challenges in this research field.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Souvik Ghosh, Ivan Smalyukh
Summary: This paper presents the development of switchable silver colloids (SSCs) for controlling solar gain. By manipulating the orientations of plasmonic silver nanoplates dispersed in a liquid crystal, the near-infrared-based solar gain can be switched in sub-second timescales. Thin films made from such nanoplate dispersions show electrically controlled infrared-based solar gain while retaining high transparency.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Nina Kravets, Urban Mur, Miha Ravnik, Slobodan Zumer, Etienne Brasselet
Summary: This article introduces the use of self-engineered liquid crystal topological defects to enhance the rejection capabilities of spectrally tunable vector vortex coronagraphs and discusses the extent to which current models enable efficient device design.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cuiling Meng, Jin-Sheng Wu, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: Liquid crystals can robustly steer beams of light with optical axis patterns of singular vortex lines, which can be reconfigured by external stimuli. The periodic arrays of vortices obtained by photo-patterning enable vortex-mediated fission of optical solitons, resulting in lightning-like propagation patterns. Pre-designed patterns and spatial trajectories of vortex lines in high-birefringence liquid crystals can steer light into closed loops or even knots. Liquid crystals with vortex lattices have potential applications in beam steering, telecommunications, virtual reality, and anticounterfeiting, as well as providing a model system for studying light-defect interactions including the light-steering action of cosmic strings.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Hanqing Zhao, Jung-Shen B. Tai, Jin-Sheng Wu, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: We demonstrate the co-self-assembly of twist domain walls and vortices to form localized topological objects called 'mobiusons' in a nonpolar chiral liquid crystal system. These mobiusons exhibit folding-dependent rotational and translational motions, as well as controlled topological cargo-carrying abilities. Our findings may contribute to the development of topology-enabled light-steering designs.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Eldho Abraham, Vladyslav Cherpak, Bohdan Senyuk, Jan Bart ten Hove, Taewoo Lee, Qingkun Liu, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: Buildings consume approximately 40% of the world's energy in order to maintain comfortable indoor conditions. The least efficient part of a building's envelope in terms of isolating the interior from outdoor temperatures is the windows and skylights. However, researchers have developed highly transparent cellulose aerogels that have better light transmission, lower haze, and lower thermal conductivity than glass. These lightweight materials can be used to improve energy efficiency in insulating glass units, skylights, daylighting, and facade glazing, potentially enhancing the role of glazing in building envelopes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Souvik Ghosh, Eldho Abraham, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: Glazing products with tunable optical properties have great potential for energy efficiency and privacy features. A new approach called Haze-Switch, based on a gel material and liquid crystal, allows for low-voltage tuning of haze coefficient, meeting the stringent requirements for window products.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hanqing Zhao, Boris A. Malomed, Ivan I. Smalyukh
Summary: Zhao et al. have experimentally created and theoretically modeled soliton macromolecules called polyskyrmionomers, which resemble polymers and have strong inter-soliton binding similar to covalent chemical bonds. These new materials have potential applications in data storage and electro-optics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carolyn E. Lubner, Jacob H. Artz, David W. Mulder, Aisha Oza, Rachel J. Ward, S. Garrett Williams, Anne K. Jones, John W. Peters, Ivan I. Smalyukh, Vivek S. Bharadwaj, Paul W. King
Summary: Redox cofactors play a crucial role in mediating electron transfer in biological enzymes. One example is the [FeFe]-hydrogenase I from Clostridium acetobutylicum, which utilizes a terminal, non-canonical, His-coordinated, [4Fe-4S] cluster to mediate interfacial electron transfer. Substituting His for Cys in this enzyme results in changes in electron transfer properties and reactivity, demonstrating the importance of His coordination in controlling electron exchange.
