Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pamela C. Cai, Brad A. Krajina, Michael J. Kratochvil, Lei Zou, Audrey Zhu, Elizabeth B. Burgener, Paul L. Bollyky, Carlos E. Milla, Matthew J. Webber, Andrew J. Spakowitz, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: The method presented involves using dynamic light scattering to measure the viscoelastic moduli of soft materials in the single-scattering limit. It requires only a small sample volume and can measure up to six decades in time of rheological behavior. This microrheology technique has been successfully applied to various soft materials, proving to be easy, efficient, and cost-effective for guiding new material design and enhancing understanding of naturally derived material behaviors.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Mengyang Gu, Yimin Luo, Yue He, Matthew E. Helgeson, Megan T. Valentine
Summary: Differential dynamic microscopy (DDM) combines scattering sensitivity with microscopy visualization benefits for analyzing dynamical properties of various systems. A statistical analysis was presented to reduce computational cost, enhance robustness, and introduce a new uncertainty quantification method (DDM-UQ). This approach has been validated through simulations and experiments, showing improved accuracy and computational efficiency compared to conventional methods.
Article
Biology
Tania Mendonca, Katarzyna Lis-Slimak, Andrew B. Matheson, Matthew G. Smith, Akosua B. Anane-Adjei, Jennifer C. Ashworth, Robert Cavanagh, Lynn Paterson, Paul A. Dalgarno, Cameron Alexander, Manlio Tassieri, Catherine L. R. Merry, Amanda J. Wright
Summary: OptoRheo, a new instrument combining light sheet fluorescence microscopy and particle tracking microrheology, allows for live imaging and micromechanical sensing of extracellular matrix-cell interactions. By developing OptoRheo, we can image cells in 3D while simultaneously sensing the mechanical properties of the surrounding extracellular and pericellular matrix at a sub-cellular length scale. OptoRheo can be operated in two modes (with and without an optical trap) to extend the dynamic range of microrheology measurements. We validated this by characterizing the extracellular matrix surrounding live breast cancer cells in two different culture systems.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
James A. Richards, Vincent A. Martinez, Jochen Arlt
Summary: Particle size is crucial for understanding the behavior of many modern products. While traditional sizing methods are hindered in turbid samples, differential dynamic microscopy (DDM) can measure diffusion and particle size without requiring a resolution of individual particles. However, flow effects often dominate diffusive dynamics in flowing samples, hindering particle sizing. Developing flow-DDM allows successful particle size measurements at higher flow speeds, decoupling flow from diffusive motion.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Rhett L. Martineau, Alexandra Bayles, Chia-Suei Hung, Kristofer G. Reyes, Matthew E. Helgeson, Maneesh K. Gupta
Summary: A pipeline was developed to automate the characterization of gel time of hydrogel formulations, showing that Bayesian machine learning models can expedite learning under uncertainty and optimize decision-making. Gel time in living hydrogels can be tuned independent of other material properties while maintaining biological activity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fabian A. Garcia Daza, Antonio M. Puertas, Alejandro Cuetos, Alessandro Patti
Summary: The rheology of colloidal suspensions is important in formulation technology and fundamental science, and microrheology has emerged as a tool to assess materials at the microscopic level. In this study, we used dynamic Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the viscoelasticity of self-assembling smectic liquid crystals using active microrheology. The results show that the mechanical properties are influenced by the size of the particles and the directionality of the external forces.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Artur Davletshin, Thomas C. Underwood, Wen Song
Summary: This article examines an artificial material system that achieves multiple complex functions through reconfiguring programmable material networks. The ability to perform pumping, energy storage/discharge, logic operations, and signal filtering/rectification is demonstrated in a single soft elastomeric material system.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
David J. French, Andrew B. Schofield, Job H. J. Thijssen
Summary: This paper presents examples of bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels) with a designed gradient in the channel size along the sample. The channel size is determined by the local particle concentration, which is achieved through a two-stage loading process. Confocal microscopy and image analysis are used to quantitatively measure the channel size, and bijels with a gradient in channel size of up to 2.8% mm(-1) have been created. These tailored soft materials have the potential to be used in novel energy applications that require both high ionic transport rates and high interfacial area, optimizing their energy density.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Michael Meleties, Rhett L. Martineau, Maneesh K. Gupta, Jin Kim Montclare
Summary: Microrheology based on video microscopy of embedded tracer particles has the potential for high-throughput protein-based materials characterization due to characteristics such as measurement of low sample volumes, noninvasive and noncontact measurements. Passive microrheology methods can provide insights into the dynamics and self-assembly of protein-based materials, suitable for high-throughput characterization.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Stefano Villa, Paolo Edera, Matteo Brizioli, Veronique Trappe, Fabio Giavazzi, Roberto Cerbino
Summary: Rheo-microscopy experiments aim to observe the microscopic material structure and dynamics directly, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms that determine the macroscopic mechanical properties. This article presents a flexible rheo-microscopy setup that can be used with various waveforms and imaging methods, making it easier to perform rheo-microscopy in interested laboratories.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
R. C. Batra, Lisha Yuan
Summary: The study focuses on the flexural deformations of functionally graded beams, providing analytical solutions for beams bent into nearly complete circles. The research finds that material gradations significantly affect the required bending moment and stresses. By adjusting material parameter gradients, stress distributions can be controlled to alter the location of the maximum stress, potentially influencing where failure occurs in the beam.
COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
(2021)
Article
Optics
A. V. Postnikov
Summary: An approach for measuring the surface profile of samples with reflection variations using the Nomarski differential interference method is presented. The system is analyzed using Jones's matrices tool and considers the polarization effects of a non-polarizing beam splitter. Equations are developed to determine the surface profile from interference intensity in the presence of non-uniform reflection. The validity and accuracy of the measurement are verified by measuring a silicon cantilever on a high-reflectivity substrate. This method is expected to be valuable for inspecting elements of micromechanics and microsystems.
Article
Optics
Tao Yuan, Dingrong Yi, Yiqing Ye, Dongliang Wu, Wei Jiang, Ting Liu
Summary: In this paper, a differential confocal over-range determination method based on information theory is proposed to determine whether the surface height information of the sample is within the effective measurement range.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Naoyuki Kitamura, Takahiko Hayashido, Nana Matsushita, Kohei Fukumi, Hiroaki Uchiyama, Hiromitsu Kozuka
Summary: The viscoelastic behavior of alkali and alkaline earth aluminophosphate glasses was studied, and it was found that there are differences in the activation energy of the relaxation modulus between different series. Dynamic viscoelasticity measurements showed a difference in the dissociation energies of weak and strong bonds at the glass transition temperature.
JOURNAL OF NON-CRYSTALLINE SOLIDS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Poonam Shekhawat, Gunwant Sharma, Rao Martand Singh
Summary: The morphological and microstructural evolution of flyash (FA), eggshell powder (ESP), and soft soil (S) geo-polymer was studied. The effects of different synthesis parameters on the geopolymerization process were explained. The results showed the coexistence of calcium aluminate silicate hydrate gel and the highest cementitious product. The geopolymeric gel structure filled the voids between soft soil particles and reinforced the whole matrix.
Review
Polymer Science
Roberto Cerbino, Fabio Giavazzi, Matthew E. Helgeson
Summary: DDM is a rapidly emerging approach that transforms a commercial microscope by combining real-space information with the powerful capabilities of conventional light scattering analysis. Analysis of a single microscope movie using DDM gives access to sample dynamics in a wide range of scattering wave-vectors, enabling contemporary polymer science experiments that would be difficult or impossible with standard light scattering techniques. Further applications of DDM to a variety of polymer systems are likely to be just around the corner, making DDM a tool of choice for modern experimental polymer scientists.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Stefano Villa, Andrea Palamidessi, Emanuela Frittoli, Giorgio Scita, Roberto Cerbino, Fabio Giavazzi
Summary: This study quantified the linear correlation between nuclear deformation rate and local divergence of velocity field, extracting structural and motility parameters from time-lapse movies in jammed and flocking cell monolayers. The findings demonstrate that nuclei in flocking monolayers are approximately twice as stiff as nuclei in dynamically arrested monolayers, providing a non-invasive method for determining the relative stiffness of nuclei in a monolayer.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL E
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Stefano Villa, Paolo Edera, Matteo Brizioli, Veronique Trappe, Fabio Giavazzi, Roberto Cerbino
Summary: Rheo-microscopy experiments aim to observe the microscopic material structure and dynamics directly, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms that determine the macroscopic mechanical properties. This article presents a flexible rheo-microscopy setup that can be used with various waveforms and imaging methods, making it easier to perform rheo-microscopy in interested laboratories.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS
(2022)
Correction
Chemistry, Physical
Emanuela Frittoli, Andrea Palamidessi, Fabio Iannelli, Federica Zanardi, Stefano Villa, Leonardo Barzaghi, Hind Abdo, Valeria Cancila, Galina V. Beznoussenko, Giulia Della Chiara, Massimiliano Pagani, Chiara Malinverno, Dipanjan Bhattacharya, Federica Pisati, Weimiao Yu, Viviana Galimberti, Giuseppina Bonizzi, Emanuele Martini, Alexander A. Mironov, Ubaldo Gioia, Flora Ascione, Qingsen Li, Kristina Havas, Serena Magni, Zeno Lavagnino, Fabrizio Andrea Pennacchio, Paolo Maiuri, Silvia Caponi, Maurizio Mattarelli, Sabata Martino, Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna, Chiara Rossi, Marco Lucioni, Richard Tancredi, Paolo Pedrazzoli, Andrea Vecchione, Cristiano Petrini, Francesco Ferrari, Chiara Lanzuolo, Giovanni Bertalot, Guilherme Nader, Marco Foiani, Matthieu Piel, Roberto Cerbino, Fabio Giavazzi, Claudio Tripodo, Giorgio Scita
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Emanuela Frittoli, Andrea Palamidessi, Fabio Iannelli, Federica Zanardi, Stefano Villa, Leonardo Barzaghi, Hind Abdo, Valeria Cancila, Galina V. Beznoussenko, Giulia Della Chiara, Massimiliano Pagani, Chiara Malinverno, Dipanjan Bhattacharya, Federica Pisati, Weimiao Yu, Viviana Galimberti, Giuseppina Bonizzi, Emanuele Martini, Alexander A. Mironov, Ubaldo Gioia, Floriana Ascione, Qingsen Li, Kristina Havas, Serena Magni, Zeno Lavagnino, Fabrizio Andrea Pennacchio, Paolo Maiuri, Silvia Caponi, Maurizio Mattarelli, Sabata Martino, Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna, Chiara Rossi, Marco Lucioni, Richard Tancredi, Paolo Pedrazzoli, Andrea Vecchione, Cristiano Petrini, Francesco Ferrari, Chiara Lanzuolo, Giovanni Bertalot, Guilherme Nader, Marco Foiani, Matthieu Piel, Roberto Cerbino, Fabio Giavazzi, Claudio Tripodo, Giorgio Scita
Summary: The transition from locally confined epithelial malignancies to invasive cancers, known as unjamming, is accompanied by mechanical deformations of cells and nuclei due to large fluctuations in cell density. This triggers a cellular mechano-protective mechanism involving changes in nuclear size and rigidity, heterochromatin redistribution, and remodeling of actin architecture. The chronic strains and stresses associated with unjamming eventually lead to DNA damage and nuclear envelope ruptures, activating a cytosolic DNA response gene program. This transcriptional rewiring alters the cell state, promoting malignant traits in breast carcinoma.
Article
Oncology
Nina Cortese, Roberta Carriero, Marialuisa Barbagallo, Anna Rita Putignano, Guido Costa, Fabio Giavazzi, Fabio Grizzi, Fabio Pasqualini, Clelia Peano, Gianluca Basso, Sergio Marchini, Federico Simone Colombo, Cristiana Soldani, Barbara Franceschini, Luca Di Tommaso, Luigi Terracciano, Matteo Donadon, Guido Torzilli, Paolo Kunderfranco, Alberto Mantovani, Federica Marchesi
Summary: Two M4 markers associated with opposite clinical relevance were identified through single-cell analysis, indicating the importance of improved classification and prognostic classifiers for patients with colorectal liver metastasis.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. Vailati, H. Bataller, M. M. Bou-Ali, M. Carpineti, R. Cerbino, F. Croccolo, S. U. Egelhaaf, F. Giavazzi, C. Giraudet, G. Guevara-Carrion, D. Horvath, W. Koehler, A. Mialdun, J. Porter, K. Schwarzenberger, V. Shevtsova, A. De Wit
Summary: Understanding transport and mixing in fluids, both in the presence and absence of external fields and reactions, is a challenging and strategically important topic for space exploration. The efficient mixing and transport of components in microgravity conditions is crucial for sustaining long-term space missions. Investigating these processes at the mesoscopic scale is increasingly important for understanding mass transfer in confined systems, such as porous media and microfluidic systems, where the convective flows induced by buoyancy on Earth are absent. This research has practical applicative relevance for handling complex fluids and processing materials in space.
Article
Polymer Science
Camille Bakkali-Hassani, Paolo Edera, Jakob Langenbach, Quentin-Arthur Poutrel, Sophie Norvez, Matthieu Gresil, Francois Tournilhac
Summary: The preparation and reprocessing of epoxy vitrimer materials are performed using a fully biocatalyzed process with the aid of a lipase enzyme. Binary phase diagrams are used to select suitable monomer compositions to overcome the limitations imposed by low curing temperatures (below 100 degrees C) and protect the enzyme activity. The lipase TL embedded in the chemical network exhibits efficient catalysis for exchange reactions, as demonstrated by stress relaxation experiments and mechanical strength recovery after reprocessing assays.
Editorial Material
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Irmgard Bischofberger, Ramon Castaneda-Priego, Roberto Cerbino, Luca Cipelletti, Emanuela Del Gado, Alberto Fernandez-Nieves
FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Chiara Guidolin, Christopher Heim, Nathan B. P. Adams, Philipp Baaske, Valeria Rondelli, Roberto Cerbino, Fabio Giavazzi
Summary: Introduced more than 50 years ago, dynamic light scattering (DLS) is commonly used for determining the size distribution of colloidal suspensions and macromolecules in solution. This study demonstrates that differential dynamic microscopy (DDM), a microscope-based DLS technique, can accurately measure the size of small macromolecules in diluted solutions. The results show that DDM is a valuable alternative for rapid, label-free protein sizing with an optical microscope.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francesco Righini, Marina Carpineti, Fabio Giavazzi, Alberto Vailati
Summary: This article investigates the kinematics of pronking, a leaping behavior observed in some quadrupeds. The study shows that pronking is an effective escape strategy in landscapes with a certain density of obstacles, maximizing the probability of trespassing in the shortest time. The transition between pronking and other gaits is continuous when obstacle height distribution is non-increasing, and discrete when the distribution is peaked. The findings have implications for autonomous robotic exploration on unstructured terrain.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Camille Bakkali-Hassani, Paolo Edera, Jakob Langenbach, Quentin-Arthur Poutrel, Sophie Norvez, Matthieu Gresil, Francois Tournilhac
Summary: In this study, a biocatalyzed process utilizing a lipase enzyme was used to prepare and reprocess an epoxy vitrimer material. By introducing binary phase diagrams and selecting suitable monomer compositions, the limitations imposed by low curing temperature were overcome, thus protecting the enzyme. The lipase TL embedded in the chemical network efficiently catalyzed exchange reactions, demonstrated by stress relaxation experiments and complete recovery of mechanical strength after reprocessing assays.