Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shitao Shen, Xiaofeng Qin, Haoqiang Feng, Shuting Xie, Zichuan Yi, Mingliang Jin, Guofu Zhou, Eser Metin Akinoglu, Paul Mulvaney, Lingling Shui
Summary: In this paper, an electromicrofluidic assembly platform (eMAP) is proposed and validated for achieving 3D colloidal assembly within water droplets. By using dielectrophoresis and (di)electrowetting effects, reconfigurable colloidal configurations can be observed and dynamically programmed. This platform allows designable chemical and physical anisotropies for functional materials and devices, and enables high throughput mass production of microcapsules and optoelectronic units.
Article
Physics, Applied
Lisha Luo, Zhibin Yan, Minqi Yang, Hongjie Yin, Haiyang Fu, Mingliang Jin, Huicheng Feng, Guofu Zhou, Lingling Shui
Summary: The effects of ionic surfactants on colloidal particle assembly process were studied, revealing that different aggregate structures form in different concentration ranges, and the interparticle separation distance within the aggregate can be regulated by increasing surfactant concentration.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rachel S. Hendley, Isaac Torres-Diaz, Michael A. Bevan
Summary: By identifying analytical potentials for dipole-field and dipole-dipole interactions, we match experimental and simulated configurations of anisotropic epoxy colloidal particles in high frequency AC electric fields. The inverse Monte Carlo simulation algorithm helps determine optimal fits of analytical potentials to capture experimental observations. The stretched point dipole potential is found suitable at all concentrations, field amplitudes, and degrees of ordering, showing simplicity, accuracy, and adjustability for modeling field mediated microstructures and assembly of systematically varying anisotropic particle shapes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Keliang Liu, Haibo Ding, Sen Li, Yanfang Niu, Yi Zeng, Junning Zhang, Xin Du, Zhongze Gu
Summary: The authors demonstrate a sacrificial-scaffold-mediated two-photon lithography strategy that enables the fabrication of complex 3D colloidal crystal microstructures with orderly arranged nanoparticles in the bulk.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jostine Puthenveetil Joby, Suman Das, Praveenkumar Pinapati, Benoit Rogez, Guillaume Baffou, Dhermendra K. Tiwari, Sudhir Cherukulappurath
Summary: Optically-assisted large-scale assembly of nanoparticles has gained recent attention for its potential in assembling and manipulating colloidal particles and biological entities. This work presents an alternative method using graphene oxide's excellent photothermal properties to achieve non-equilibrium transport and assembly of matter. Experimental results demonstrate the rapid aggregation of silica beads using low-intensity laser illumination, attributed to optically driven thermophoretic forces.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Mechanical
Yanli Song, Wenlin Wu, Yongqing Yu, Lin Hua
Summary: This paper reviews the effects of external electric or magnetic fields on the microstructures of solid metals and discusses the mechanisms behind these effects. It also describes some typical applications of electric and magnetic treatments on solid metals and discusses the challenges in this field.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Guogui Sun, Jiong Li, Wei Zhou, Rosalie G. Hoyle, Yue Zhao
Summary: Cellular electromagnetic fields play a crucial role in regulating cell biology processes, such as cell differentiation, organ size, tissue homeostasis, and morphological adaptation, and are closely linked to centrosome function and intercellular communication.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Marco Salvalaglio, David J. Srolovitz, Jian Han
Summary: The motion of interfaces plays a crucial role in the microstructure evolution of crystalline materials. This study presents a microstructure evolution simulation approach that is linked to the underlying microscopic mechanisms of interface migration. The method extends the continuum approach to a diffuse interface, phase-field model, allowing for large-scale simulations. The results highlight the influence of microscopic interface migration mechanisms on microstructure evolution, particularly the effects of stress and its coupling to interface migration.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohit Singh, Yoav Tsori
Summary: In this study, the orientation transitions of uncharged peanut-shaped polystyrene colloids under different electric field conditions were investigated experimentally and theoretically. The results show that the colloids exhibit different orientation states depending on the applied potential and electric field frequency.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
James D. Tinkler, Alberto Scacchi, Maialen Argaiz, Radmila Tomovska, Andrew J. Archer, Helen Willcock, Ignacio Martin-Fabiani
Summary: This study investigates the effects of particle interactions on the size segregation and assembly of colloidal mixtures during drying. By adding a cationic surfactant to a binary latex/silica colloidal dispersion, the researchers observed a reduction in stratification and even suppression of the effect. Higher surfactant concentrations resulted in the formation of armored particles consisting of latex particles coated with smaller silica nanoparticles.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Manodeep Mondal, Rajesh Ganapathy
Summary: Surface strain affects the dynamics of adsorbates and their interactions. In the case of epitaxy with lattice mismatch, strain-mediated effects are further compounded. In this study, we observed that the diffusivity of adsorbates in a multilayer colloidal film was nonmonotonic, even though the misfit strain relaxed with increasing film thickness. This nonmonotonic behavior can be attributed to the competition between the self-induced in-layer strain and the short interaction range. We also provided direct evidence for long-ranged strain-mediated interactions between the adsorbates, which altered the morphology of the growing film.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Praveenkumar Pinapati, Jostine Joby Puthenveetil, Sudhir Cherukulappurath
Summary: This study demonstrates a simple scheme for the generation of microbubbles using graphene oxide microstructures, which have excellent photothermal properties. The size of the microbubbles can be controlled by changing the laser power, and the microbubble can act as a concave wide-angle lens with variable focal length. By utilizing the fluid flow around the microbubble, large-scale assembly of silica beads and quantum dots can be achieved using thermophoretic forces.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mariano E. Brito, Gerhard Naegele, Alan R. Denton
Summary: This study compares and extends several practical mean-field methods for calculating renormalized colloidal interaction parameters, including effective charges and screening constants, as well as the structural and thermodynamic properties of colloidal suspensions. For highly charged colloids, nonlinear effects can be incorporated using charge renormalization methods. The accuracy of the different methods is evaluated by comparing predictions with elaborate simulations and the strengths and weaknesses of each method are critically assessed to guide optimal implementations.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Abhirup Basu, Lilian B. B. Okello, Natasha Castellanos, Sangchul Roh, Orlin D. D. Velev
Summary: This review article discusses the long-ranged interactions induced by magnetic fields and capillary forces in multiphasic fluid-particle systems, which facilitate the assembly of various colloidal structures and materials. The use of magnetic fields is an efficient means of assembling and manipulating paramagnetic particles, while capillary forces serve as means of reconfigurable binding in soft matter systems. The article also explores the combined use of magnetic and capillary forces in assembling particles at fluid interfaces or in the bulk, and presents examples of their applications in magnetically responsive foams, gels, and pastes for 3D printing.
Review
Crystallography
Simon Copar, Miha Ravnik, Slobodan Zumer
Summary: This brief review introduces selected colloidal and microfluidic nematic microstructures enabled by inherent anisotropy and microscopic orientational ordering in complex liquid crystalline materials. Discussing mesoscopic theory of nematic fluids, the paper emphasizes the role of topology and topological defects in understanding and predicting such microstructures. Highlighting stable and metastable structures in nematic colloids, stationary nematic microfluidic structures, and ferromagnetic liquid crystal structures, the review pays tribute to Noel A. Clark for his contributions to the field of complex and functional soft matter.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuguang Yang, Michael A. Bevan
Article
Thermodynamics
Hsiang-Lan Yeh, Jaime J. Juarez
Summary: Ultrasound enhances the transport of colloidal particles through porous media, with diffusion scaling linearly with voltage and average particle velocity scaling quadratically. The experiments show that natural frequency peaks at around 40 kHz, leading to a maximum effective diffusion coefficient of 0.4 mu m(2)/s, which is 5.5 times higher than without an acoustic field present.
EXPERIMENTAL THERMAL AND FLUID SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Soheila Shabaniverki, Shengwen Xie, Juan Ren, Jaime J. Juarez
Summary: This article presents a method for fabricating soft functional materials with magnetically sensitive structures through three-dimensional printing. Experimental results show that introducing channels only slightly reduces the flexural modulus of the material, while different magnetic field strengths lead to different levels of deflection, with a minimum field strength required for deflection.
3D PRINTING AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2021)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Soheila Shabaniverki, Antonio Alvarez-Valdivia, Jaime J. Juarez
Summary: The article presents a method for fabricating millimeter scale self-propelled floaters and examines the different shapes and motions of the floaters. It shows that the design with a single open end demonstrated higher variance and velocity, simulated trajectories using Langevin dynamic simulation which showed agreement with measured results, and designed a floating spinner that mixed dye and water within 12 seconds. Ultimately, the design process may find applications in various platforms requiring sample mixing, cargo transport, and sensing.
SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Soheila Shabaniverki, Jaime J. Juarez
Summary: Particle-polymer dispersions are commonly used in additive manufacturing to create composite materials with enhanced properties through directional alignment of the particles. Various field mechanisms like electric, magnetic, and acoustic fields are utilized during the AM process to achieve particle alignment and create structured composites with unique properties. Understanding particle transport in polymers can lead to improved control of the AM process and customization of particle-polymer composites for specific applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Denise Neibloom, Michael A. Bevan, Joelle Frechette
Summary: The study investigates the mechanisms of spontaneous emulsification of TPM in aqueous solutions, revealing that diffusion and stranding likely drive droplet formation and growth. The pH modulates the growth mechanism of droplets, while the addition of surfactants can lead to kinetically stable droplets. Surfactants such as Tween, SDS, or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide influence the growth and number density of droplets through different mechanisms.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Isaac Torres-Diaz, Rachel S. Hendley, Akhilesh Mishra, Alex J. Yeh, Michael A. Bevan
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between the phases of two-dimensional convex hard superellipse particles and particle shape parameters through computer simulations. By analyzing various shapes including disks, ellipses, squares, rectangles, and rhombuses, as well as shapes with non-uniform curvature, the researchers identify key shape properties that determine liquid crystal and crystalline phases. The results provide design rules for particle shapes to achieve specific two-dimensional microstructures.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yunjia Song, Zachary D. Lamberty, Junhao Liang, Miguel Aller Pellitero, Justine S. Wagner, Eugenie Jumai'an, Michael A. Bevan, Joelle Frechette, Netzahualcoyotl Arroyo-Curras, Howard E. Katz
Summary: The study focused on utilizing a carboxylated conjugated polymer as a nanosized biomolecule receptor layer on OECT devices, achieving sub-ng detection. Changes in threshold voltage, current output, and open circuit potential provided insights into response mechanisms, guiding further development of protein sensors based on polymeric active layers with nanoscale functionality.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Huda A. Jerri, Isaac Torres-Diaz, Lechuan Zhang, Nicholas Impellizzeri, Daniel Benczedi, Michael A. Bevan
Summary: We have developed novel mineralized protein microcapsules as an alternative to nonbiodegradable synthetic polymeric resins, addressing the environmental impact and performance challenges of various products. By mimicking the morphological features of natural pollens, we significantly improved the deposition of fragrance chemicals on target substrates under realistic application conditions. Our findings highlight the importance of material selection and the geometric taxonomic parameterization of surface morphologies in the performance of mineralized protein capsules. These findings have implications for engineering multifunctional environmentally friendly delivery systems.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Eugenie Jumai'an, Lechuan Zhang, Michael A. Bevan
Summary: We investigated the interactions between adsorbed copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and two abundant blood proteins, serum albumin and immunoglobulin G, at physiological blood concentrations. Using Total Internal Reflection Microscopy, we directly measured the interactions between PEG triblock copolymers (PEG-PPO-PEG) and hydrophobic colloids and surfaces. In the presence of proteins, we observed concentration dependent depletion attraction and no change to brush repulsion, indicating the absence of protein coronas at physiological protein concentrations. These findings provide valuable insights into protein-particle/surface coating interactions in biotechnology applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rachel S. Hendley, Lechuan Zhang, Michael A. Bevan
Summary: We report a controlled interfacial assembly and reconfiguration method for rectangular prism colloidal particles between microstructures with varying positional and orientational order. By programming time-dependent electric fields, we can manipulate the particle's position, orientation, compression, and chaining. We have identified a set of order parameters that define each state, and used them as reaction coordinates to capture the microstructure evolution. The trajectory manifolds between states reveal a dynamic pathway map that provides information about pathway accessibility, reversibility, and kinetics. By navigating this dynamic pathway map, we can achieve reconfiguration between states on minute time scales, which is useful for particle-based materials processing and device responses. Our findings demonstrate a conceptually general approach to control the assembly and reconfiguration of self-organizing building blocks that respond to global external stimuli.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Philippe B. Baron, Rachel S. Hendley, Michael A. Bevan
Summary: This study presents a method to predict equilibrium concentration profiles of hard ellipses in nonuniform fields, including multiphase equilibria. The model is based on a balance of osmotic pressure and field mediated forces using the local density approximation. The predicted density profiles show good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations, with some small discrepancies observed at crystal-nematic and crystal-fluid interfaces.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rachel S. Hendley, Lechuan Zhang, Michael A. Bevan
Summary: This study demonstrates the assembly of different shaped colloidal particles into ordered microstructures using a two-dimensional AC electric field. By controlling particle shape and field conditions, various liquid crystal structures and crystals can be assembled. These findings provide design rules for the assembly of diverse microstructures in AC electric fields and could have implications for particle-based materials, display technologies, and printing technologies.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rachel S. Hendley, Isaac Torres-Diaz, Michael A. Bevan
Summary: By identifying analytical potentials for dipole-field and dipole-dipole interactions, we match experimental and simulated configurations of anisotropic epoxy colloidal particles in high frequency AC electric fields. The inverse Monte Carlo simulation algorithm helps determine optimal fits of analytical potentials to capture experimental observations. The stretched point dipole potential is found suitable at all concentrations, field amplitudes, and degrees of ordering, showing simplicity, accuracy, and adjustability for modeling field mediated microstructures and assembly of systematically varying anisotropic particle shapes.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Diwakar M. Awate, Cicero C. Pola, Erica Shumaker, Carmen L. Gomes, Jaime J. Juarez
Summary: Despite the limitations of flow cytometers, a 3D-printed imaging platform (3DPIP) has been developed to accurately count particles and conduct fluorescence microscopy efficiently. The 3DPIP utilizes a custom particle counter code and machine vision-based algorithm to identify and count particles, showing comparable accuracy to commercial particle counters. Additionally, the platform can perform static experiments and flow-through experiments effectively, making it a promising tool for use in resource-limited clinical environments.
