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
Uyen Tu Lieu, Natsuhiko Yoshinaga
Summary: In this study, we propose an optimization method for the inverse structural design of self-assembly of anisotropic patchy particles. Our method can handle arbitrary symmetries of the patch and successfully estimate the potential parameters for target structures such as square lattice, kagome lattice, and dodecagonal quasicrystal.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
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
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
Polymer Science
Fei Xu, Wenhua Jing, Gaojian Chen, Zexin Zhang
Summary: The study presents a simple and effective method for synthesizing composite bowl-shaped colloidal particles, with bowl-shape determined by stirring and centrifugal force. Bowl size, thickness, and functional groups can be tuned by varying stirring speed, TPM monomer amount, and adding initiators and functional monomers during synthesis. The resulting particles exhibit biological activity and can be further modified to produce micromotors with controlled motions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Gao, Dayin Sun, Zheng Li, Zeying Zhang, Zhiyuan Qu, Yang Yun, Fanyi Min, Wenkun Lv, Mengmeng Guo, Yilan Ye, Zhenzhong Yang, Yali Qiao, Yanlin Song
Summary: In this study, a bubble-driven instant quasi-1D interfacial strategy was proposed for the oriented assembly of Janus nanoparticle (JNP) chains. The rapid formation of templated bubbles promoted the interfacial orientation of JNPs kinetically, while the confined quasi-1D interface in the curved liquid bridge constrained the disordered rotation of particles, resulting in well-oriented JNP chains. By regulating the amphiphilicity of JNPs, heteraxial and coaxial JNP assemblies were obtained, which exhibited different polarization dependences on light scattering and demonstrated colorimetric logic behaviors. This work demonstrates the potential of patterned interfacial assembly and the prospect of asymmetric JNP assembly in constructing novel optoelectronic devices.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Stephen Whitelam, Isaac Tamblyn
Summary: Neuroevolutionary learning can design particles and time-dependent protocols for self-assembly without relying on physical concepts like thermal equilibrium or mechanical stability. The algorithm is capable of both directed and exploratory design, allowing for targeted material assembly or novelty searching in specified order parameter spaces.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yang Huang, Zhihua Lin, Qiang He
Summary: This study presents a bioinspired communication and directed assembly method for peanut-shaped colloidal motors, which triggers the emergence of ordered colloidal ribbons through self-generated chemical fields. The communication between the colloidal motors is achieved by creating chemical concentration gradient fields through photocatalytic decomposition of fuel, resulting in long-range attractions on the colloidal scale. The critical distance for inter-individual communication is approximately 4.4 μm, and it is determined by the interplay between hydrodynamic effects, long-ranged phoretic attraction, and short-ranged magnetic interaction. The findings offer new possibilities for manufacturing active soft materials with precise and adaptive functions.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
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
Yike Yao, Liang Gao, Chunhua Cai, Jiaping Lin, Shaoliang Lin
Summary: Introducing a second component is an effective way to manipulate polymerization behavior. However, this phenomenon has rarely been observed in colloidal systems, such as polymeric nanoparticles. Here, we report the supramolecular polymerization of polymeric nanorods mediated by block copolymers. Experimental observations and simulation results illustrate that block copolymers surround the polymeric nanorods and mainly concentrate around the two ends, leaving the hydrophobic side regions exposed. These polymeric nanorods connect in a side-by-side manner through hydrophobic interactions to form bundles. As polymerization progresses, the block copolymers gradually deposit onto the bundles and finally assemble into helical nanopatterns on the outermost surface, which terminates the polymerization. It is anticipated that this work could offer inspiration for a general strategy of controllable supramolecular polymerization.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vandana Sharma, Sunny Tiwari, Diptabrata Paul, Ratimanasee Sahu, Vijayakumar Chikkadi, G. V. Pavan Kumar
Summary: This paper explores the dynamics of silica colloids near a silver nanowire under optical excitation, revealing their directionally pulling, trapping, and assembly around the excitation point. The assembly of colloids is found to be sensitive to the excitation polarization, demonstrating the potential for SPP-assisted optothermal manipulation and assembly of colloids.
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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weijie Wang, Xian Xu, Caihong Zhang, Hao Huang, Liping Zhu, Kan Yue, Meifang Zhu, Shuguang Yang
Summary: Inspired by the structure of skeletal muscle fibers, a new polymeric actuator has been developed using assembled polymers, which shows outstanding performance similar to skeletal muscle fibers and features of mollusc muscle.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pietro Tierno, Alexey Snezhko
Summary: This minireview discusses recent advancements in surface magnetic rotors, which can be remotely spun, steered, interaction-tuned, and assembled using external magnetic modulations. These microscopic wheels have potential applications in microfluidic devices, drug delivery, mixing, and as model systems for biological active matter research. Optically monitoring these dissipative colloidal systems can reveal complex collective phenomena under the influence of external fields.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Philipp Schmid, Thomas Buchecker, Ali Khoshsima, Didier Touraud, Olivier Diat, Werner Kunz, Arno Pfitzner, Pierre Bauduin
Summary: Nanometric ions such as polyoxometalates and ionic boron clusters have been found to induce the self-assembly of organic solvents in water, significantly increasing their cloud point and aqueous solubility. At high concentrations, these ions can form complexes or colloids with the solvent, leading to the formation of different phases.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Karthik Nuthalapati, Yu-Jane Sheng, Heng-Kwong Tsao
Summary: The wetting behavior of binary mixtures containing both partial and total wetting liquids on substrates is studied. The contact angle of the binary liquid on different solid surfaces varies with its composition. Four different regimes are identified in the contact angle-composition plot for self-propelled droplets, while the contact angle monotonously increases with the concentration of the partial wetting liquid for non self-propelled droplets. The leak-out phenomenon in the plateau regime, where the droplet is surrounded by the precursor film, is examined by observing the encounter of two miscible droplets using optical microscopy.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hsin-Yu Chang, Heng-Kwong Tsao, Yu -Jane Sheng
Summary: Concentrated emulsions with volume fractions exceeding the critical value display solid-like behavior and have diverse applications. However, it is challenging to study the mechanical properties of monodisperse concentrated emulsions due to thermodynamic instability and droplet coalescence. A mesoscopic simulation method is employed to investigate the effects of volume fraction, droplet diameter, and interfacial tension on Young's modulus and bulk modulus.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Ming-Chang Hsieh, Yu-Hao Tsao, Yu-Jane Sheng, Heng-Kwong Tsao
Summary: This work investigates the evolution of radial size distributions of linear polymers during stretching processes through dissipative particle dynamics simulations. In uniaxial extensional flow, it is observed that the mean radius of gyration and standard deviation remain unchanged until the onset of strain hardening, corresponding to linear viscoelasticity. Both parameters rise rapidly in the non-linear regime, and bimodal size distribution can emerge. Moreover, the onset of strain hardening is found to be insensitive to the Hencky strain and chain length.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Karthik Nuthalapati, Yu-Jane Sheng, Heng-Kwong Tsao
Summary: Manipulating and guiding droplet movement on a substrate using vapor-mediated actuation is a novel approach for microfluidic devices. This study demonstrates the self-propulsion of droplets such as N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methylformamide on glass through evaporation-driven mechanisms. By adding Silwet surfactant, the wetting behavior of the liquids changes and two-component droplets are formed on the glass. The random walk behavior of the droplets can be directed by hydrophobic runways on the substrate, and the long-range transport of the droplets is observed. The effect of Silwet concentration on self-propelled velocity is examined, and the evaporation-driven mechanism is investigated in open and closed environments.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Trung Hieu Vo, Phuc Khanh Lam, Yu-Jane Sheng, Heng-Kwong Tsao
Summary: This research developed a simple two-step mixing approach to prepare a 3D printing ink using green, low-cost, and low-toxicity materials. The ink showed desired rheological properties and significantly enhanced the stretchability of eutectogels. The 3D-printed structure exhibited negative Poisson's ratio, high stretchability, high sensitivity, good moisture resistance, and sufficient transparency, making it suitable for detecting human motion.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hsin-Wei Hu, Heng-Kwong Tsao, Yu-Jane Sheng
Summary: In this study, dissipative particle dynamics simulations were used to investigate the solidification dynamics of polymer solutions for membrane formation. The shrinkage of the symmetric film of polymer solution was monitored, and the concentration profiles of polymer, solvent, and nonsolvent were analyzed. The demixing process associated with liquid-solid separation was found to be caused by the extraction of solvent and concentration of polymers. Valuable insights into directional solidification and spontaneous stratification of the membrane, driven by solvent loss and oversaturation, were provided.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shu-Yu Chang, Yu-Jane Sheng, Heng-Kwong Tsao
Summary: The supercooled liquid state of a deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of a mixture of choline chloride and citric acid monohydrate (CA) was studied. The viscosity of the supercooled DESs, which increased with higher CA content, could be described by an Arrhenius equation. Surface tensions were considerably high, comparable to that of water, and slightly decreased with higher CA concentration. The wetting behavior of supercooled DESs on glass was characterized by an unusually slow spreading process, and the equilibrium contact angle increased with higher CA content.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guan-Lin Chen, Guan-Yu He, Yu-Jane Sheng, Heng-Kwong Tsao
Summary: Investigation of imbibition dynamics in a U-groove connected to a sudden enlargement and complicated by the presence of CF filaments is conducted using many-body dissipative particle dynamics. Four different flow types are identified depending on the contact angle θ(y), the critical angle θ(f), and the critical angle θ(c). The flow dynamics is greatly influenced by the length of the large U-groove (l(e)).
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hendrik Heinz, Yogesh M. Joshi, Hongbo Zeng, Heng-Kwong Tsao, Sissi J. A. de Beer, Erin Koos, Atsushi Takahara, Gilbert C. Walker
