Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kun Wang, Behrouz Behdani, Carlos A. Silvera Batista
Summary: This study presents an experimental investigation of the dynamics of charged colloids under direct currents and gradients of chemical species, showing significant pH gradients induced by current passing through water and the resulting impact on the behavior of charged colloids.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Mark N. McDonald, Cameron K. Peterson, Douglas R. Tree
Summary: Biological systems rely on chemical gradients for motion, and a novel method has been presented to manipulate the position and velocity of colloidal particles in a microfluidic device using chemical gradients. The method involves utilizing controllable spatially localized chemical reactions to steer colloidal particles via diffusiophoresis along any desired trajectory. Brownian dynamics simulations were conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, and comparisons with other techniques were made to analyze its applicability in the physical parameter space. The results suggest that it is theoretically possible to explicitly steer particles via chemical gradients in microfluidics.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Prathmesh M. Vinze, S. Pushpavanam
Summary: Janus particles are artificial swimmers with catalyst coverage on their surface, generating a tangential chemical gradient for self-propulsion. The interaction of solute molecules with the particle surface leads to tangential pressure gradients and diffusio-osmotic flows. Using the Peclet number as a perturbation parameter, the study shows that solute advection reduces swimming velocity.
PHYSICAL REVIEW FLUIDS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shaofei Shen, Fangjuan Zhang, Yali Zhang, Yi Li, Yanbing Niu, Long Pang, Jinyi Wang
Summary: A multiconcentration gradient generator was constructed to investigate the effect of different drug concentration gradients on cells. The results showed that chemotherapy drugs inhibited the growth of cancer cells, and hepatoma cells exhibited higher drug resistance. This device provides a simple and reliable platform for studying optimal dosages at the single-cell level and screening chemotherapy regimens.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Tatiana Nizkaya, Evgeny S. Asmolov, Olga Vinogradova
Summary: Self-propelling particles or microswimmers, as ideal model objects for experimental studies and applications, have attracted significant attention. This article summarizes recent advances in the theoretical description of the self-propulsion of catalytic microswimmers that non-uniformly release ions, focusing on nonlinear effects and geometric tuning.
CURRENT OPINION IN COLLOID & INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hiroyuki Ohshima
Summary: We derived an analytic expression for the diffusiophoretic mobility of a cylindrical particle, which can be applied to particles with arbitrary zeta potential and electrical double layer thickness. We also found that the low zeta potential approximation is a good approximation for particles with low-to-moderate zeta potentials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andriy Gusak, Anastasiia Titova
Summary: The initial stages of contact melting and eutectic crystallization in sharp concentration gradients between two crystalline components were analyzed and simulated. It was found that contact melting became possible only after the formation of a critical width of solid solutions. Crystallization in the sharp concentration gradient could lead to the formation of periodic structures in the interface vicinity. In addition, the threshold temperature existed for eutectic systems of Ag-Cu type, where the crystallization mechanism could change from precipitation + growth to polymorphic crystallization with eutectic composition + subsequent spinodal decomposition.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
A. M. Hulme, C. J. Davey, S. Tyrrel, M. Pidou, E. J. McAdam
Summary: This study focuses on the scale-up of RED stacks for high concentration salinity gradients, showing differences in electrochemical performance under different salinity gradients.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kang Xiong, Jinwei Lin, Qiang Chen, Tianyu Gao, Leilei Xu, Jianguo Guan
Summary: In this study, axis-asymmetric hollow bowl-shaped Janus micromotors are developed, which can perform unusual precession motion and significantly enhance liquid medium convection in a large area. By modulating the fuel concentration and depression degree, these micromotors achieve synchronistic self-rotation and translation, resulting in improved solute mixing and diffusion efficiencies compared to conventional Janus counterparts. This work demonstrates a novel motion mode, precession, of self-driven micro/nanomotors that greatly enhances micro-convection and rapid diffusion of liquid medium.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Nan Shi, Amr Abdel-Fattah
Summary: High-salinity solutions were found to have negligible enhancement on the migration of oil droplets under electrolyte gradients, while non-electrolyte gradients and micelle gradients were effective alternatives. The repulsive interaction between micelles and droplets at high salinity conditions played a significant role in enhancing droplet migration. The synergistic effect of simultaneous electrolyte and micelle gradients further promoted droplet migration.
PHYSICAL REVIEW FLUIDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Viet Sang Doan, SungGyu Chun, Jie Feng, Sangwoo Shin
Summary: The research on nanoparticle transport in collagen hydrogels revealed a nonmonotonic behavior where maximum diffusiophoretic mobility is observed at intermediate confinement, contrary to common expectations. This behavior is attributed to the interplay between multiple size-dependent effects, highlighting the potential for enhanced nanoparticle transport in physiologically relevant conditions under tight confinement, particularly for drug delivery in compressed tissues.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dawei Hua, Ranhua Xiong, Kevin Braeckmans, Benoit Scheid, Chaobo Huang, Felix Sauvage, Stefaan C. De Smedt
Summary: Concentration gradients play a crucial role in natural phenomena and have significant applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. While generating gradients in solutions is well understood, incorporating them in solid materials remains a challenge. This study reviews methods for generating gradients in both solutions and solid materials, and discusses the potential applications of innovative materials with gradients in biomedicine and pharmacy.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hayato Tanaka, Mamoru Morinaga, Qui Tran-Cong-Miyata, Tomohisa Norisuye, Gabor Hollo, Istvan Lagzi, Hideyuki Nakanishi
Summary: A unique approach for patterning silver nanowires (AgNWs) was developed using a thermodynamic driving force induced by transient concentration gradients in reaction mixtures. Through a combination of masking and UV illumination, straight-line patterns of AgNWs were successfully formed. The migration of AgNWs was enhanced as the transient concentration gradient increased, resulting in decreased electrical resistance along the patterns and the generation of more complex patterns.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shengchao Rui, Changjian Wang, Shusheng Guo, Rulin Jing, Quan Li
Summary: The study investigated the effects of different hydrogen concentration gradients on flame behavior and overpressure, revealing that for fuel-lean hydrogen-air mixtures, the maximum overpressure in homogeneous mixtures is larger than that in inhomogeneous mixtures, while the opposite is true for fuel-rich mixtures.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Priyanka Sharan, Abdallah Daddi-Moussa-Ider, Jaime Agudo-Canalejo, Ramin Golestanian, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: Due to the complexity of active matter systems, understanding their collective properties requires systematic characterization of individual components and their interactions. This study focuses on self-propelled particles and their non-equilibrium behavior, as well as the challenges posed by non-reciprocal interactions. Experimental and theoretical approaches are utilized to extract parameters and predict trajectories, providing insights for the design of active-matter systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tyler E. Culp, Biswajit Khara, Kaitlyn P. Brickey, Michael Geitner, Tawanda J. Zimudzi, Jeffrey D. Wilbur, Steven D. Jons, Abhishek Roy, Mou Paul, Baskar Ganapathysubramanian, Andrew L. Zydney, Manish Kumar, Enrique D. Gomez
Summary: Biological membranes achieve high permeabilities and ideal selectivities through well-defined nanoscale structures of membrane proteins. Polyamide desalination membranes can maximize water permeability without sacrificing salt selectivity by systematically controlling nanoscale polyamide inhomogeneity.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yu-Ming Tu, Laxmicharan Samineni, Tingwei Ren, A. Benjamin Schantz, Woochul Song, Siddharth Sharma, Manish Kumar
Summary: Biomimetic and bioinspired membranes are innovative platforms with high potential for membrane-based separations and purification. These membranes consist of highly permeable pore structures with precise pore size distribution and selectivity, making them suitable for various applications.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hasin Feroz, Bryan Ferlez, Hyeonji Oh, Hossein Mohammadiarani, Tingwei Ren, Carol S. Baker, John P. Gajewski, Daniel J. Lugar, Sandeep B. Gaudana, Peter Butler, Jonas Huehn, Matthias Lamping, Wolfgang J. Parak, Michael R. Blatt, Cheryl A. Kerfeld, Nicholas Smirnoff, Harish Vashisth, John H. Golbeck, Manish Kumar
Summary: A novel method using fluorimetric vesicles was developed to measure the transport rate of the chloride pump in Natronomonas pharaonis, and successful determination of Cl- transport rates in different types of vesicles was achieved through the use of directional pHR reconstitution and fluorescence experiments. The obtained rates were in agreement with previous experiments and reflect the efficiency of the pHR protein.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Arundhati Roy, Jie Shen, Himanshu Joshi, Woochul Song, Yu-Ming Tu, Ratul Chowdhury, Ruijuan Ye, Ning Li, Changliang Ren, Manish Kumar, Aleksei Aksimentiev, Huaqiang Zeng
Summary: The newly developed artificial water channel exceeds the performance of natural water channels AQP, with ultra-high water flux and ion discrimination capabilities, making it suitable for applications in desalination, water purification, and other separation processes.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sophie De Respino, Laxmicharan Samineni, Yu-Ming Tu, Hyeonji Oh, Manish Kumar
Summary: This study demonstrates the simultaneous removal of oil and Escherichia coli using a Ceiba pentandra fiber filter with adsorbed Moringa oleifera proteins. Compared to the industry standard, walnut shell media filters, the Ceiba pentandra fiber filter showed higher removal efficiencies for both oil and E. coli under moderate salinity conditions. The findings suggest potential applications of plant-based fiber filters for sustainable produced water treatment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Matthew Skiles, Euijin Yang, Orad Reshef, Diego Robalino Munoz, Diana Cintron, Mary Laura Lind, Alexander Rush, Patricia Perez Calleja, Robert Nerenberg, Andrea Armani, Kasey M. Faust, Manish Kumar
Summary: Converting traditional in-person conferences to virtual conferences can significantly improve diversity, equity, and inclusion, mainly due to reduced financial and personal-life burdens. However, further development of virtual networking features and poster sessions is needed to achieve widespread adoption and acceptance of this new format.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Laxmicharan Samineni, Manish Kumar
Summary: Anion-selective covalent organic framework (COF) membranes, fabricated through laminar assembly and interfacial polymerization, show enhanced potential for osmotic power generation.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chao Lang, Elisabeth C. Lloyd, Kelly E. Matuszewski, Yifan Xu, Venkat Ganesan, Rui Huang, Manish Kumar, Robert J. Hickey
Summary: This study reports on the fabrication of nanostructured fibres using solution-phase block copolymer self-assembly and strain-programmed crystallization, which exhibit excellent mechanical properties, multi-trigger actuation, and high-performance rotation. The fibres possess highly aligned nanoscale structures with alternating crystalline and amorphous domains, resembling the pattern of mammalian skeletal muscle. Compared to current actuators, these nanostructured block copolymer muscles show superior efficiency, actuation strain, and mechanical properties, and can perform on/off rotary actuation and multi-trigger actuation.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Woochul Song, Manish Kumar
Summary: This article provides a brief overview of recent developments in artificial water channels (AWCs) and introduces the potential of AWC designs that surpass biological water channels (AQPs). By mimicking the water transport properties of AQPs, AWCs demonstrate unique advantages in practical applications.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Laxmicharan Samineni, Sophie De Respino, Yu-Ming Tu, Ratul Chowdhury, Rashmi Prava Mohanty, Hyeonji Oh, Michael Geitner, Claire Hartwig Alberg, Abigail Roman-White, Sarine McKinzie, Camila Lemus, Joy Massey, Debadyuti Ghosh, Thomas M. Truskett, Stephanie Velegol, Manish Kumar
Summary: Pathogen contamination of water can have a significant impact on human health globally. Viruses, in particular, present unique challenges for water treatment methods due to their small size and ability to exist in water as individual virions or attached to larger particles. Traditional low-energy water treatment processes often cannot completely remove viruses, leading to the need for less sustainable methods that require high energy consumption or chemicals. This study presents sustainable fiber filters made from minimally processed natural materials, such as cotton, silk, and flax, that have been functionalized with cationic proteins from Moringa oleifera seeds. These filters offer a low-cost, low-energy, and environmentally friendly solution for effectively removing viruses and bacteria from water.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Johann Wachlmayr, Laxmicharan Samineni, Thomas Barta, Armin Speletz, Chenhao Yao, Hyeonji Oh, Harekrushna Behera, Tingwei Ren, Manish Kumar, Andreas Horner
Summary: Understanding the determinants of permeability and selectivity in biological channels is important for gaining biophysical insights and developing biomimetic separation membranes. However, current research tends to focus on relative permeabilities and uses methods that result in inaccurate values. This hinders the comparison between channels and the development of high-performance channels.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Horacio Lopez-Marques, Kristofer L. Gleason, Manuel Aguilar-Vega, Rita Sulub-Sulub, J. Ehren Eichler, Hyeonji Oh, C. Buddie Mullins, Benny D. Freeman, Manish Kumar
Summary: In this study, water transport properties in Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) membranes were investigated. It was found that membranes synthesized at different pyrolysis temperatures exhibited varying water permeabilities. Compared to other polymeric materials, CMS membranes showed high water permeability, indicating potential for dehydration applications.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2024)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laxmicharan Samineni, Bibek Acharya, Harekrushna Behera, Hyeonji Oh, Manish Kumar, Ratul Chowdhury
Summary: Proteins are crucial for cellular functions and their structures can be engineered for industrial applications. This article reviews successful cases of protein engineering in pore-forming proteins and discusses their applications in nucleotide/peptide sequencing, single-molecule sensing, and molecular separations.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Laxmicharan Samineni, Sophie DeRespino, Mekayla Depaolis, Rashmi P. Mohanty, Yu-Ming Tu, Sanjana Pemmaraju, Stephanie Velegol, Debadyuti Ghosh, Manish Kumar
Summary: There is ongoing discussion about the advantages and risks of nanotechnology. In response, researchers have developed a plant-based filter that effectively removes different types of nanoparticles, offering a potential solution to minimize exposure in water treatment processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-ADVANCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Chao Lang, Manish Kumar, Robert J. Hickey
Summary: Polymeric membranes are an efficient and promising alternative to thermal separation methods, separating mixtures based on molecular size or chemical affinity. Self-assembled block copolymer membranes offer precise control over nanoscale structure, pore size, and chemical versatility, but face a significant hurdle in terms of domain size features. Future directions include strategies such as polymer post-functionalization, self-assembly of oligomers, liquid crystals, random copolymers, or incorporation of artificial/natural channels within block copolymer materials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiping Yin, Zhe Wang, Hua Zou
Summary: This study presents a novel method for preparing dimpled polymer-silica nanocomposite particles using interfacial swelling-based seeded polymerization. The optimized conditions allow for a relatively high percentage of dimpled particles to be achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Brenden D. Hoehn, Elizabeth A. Kellstedt, Marc A. Hillmyer
Summary: Porous materials with nanometer-scale pores have important applications as nanoporous membranes. In this study, ABA triblock copolymers were used as precursors to produce nanoporous polymeric membranes (NPMs) in thin film form by degrading the end blocks. Polycyclooctene (PCOE) NPMs with tunable pore sizes were successfully prepared using solvent casting technique. Oxygen plasma etching was employed to improve the surface porosity and hydrophilicity of the membranes. This study provides a straightforward method to produce tough NPMs with high porosity and hydrophilic surface properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vladislav S. Petrovskii, Stepan I. Zholudev, Igor I. Potemkin
Summary: This article investigates the behavior of linear and ring polypeptide chains in aqueous solution and explores the properties of the complexes formed by these chains with oppositely charged surfactants. The results demonstrate that the complexes of linear supercharged unfolded polypeptides and the corresponding surfactants exhibit impressive adhesive properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Merve Cevik, Serkan Dikici
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally, and vascular grafts are a promising treatment option. This study focuses on tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) using decellularized parsley stems as a potential biomaterial. The decellularized parsley stems showed suitable properties for TEVGs, providing a suitable environment for human endothelial cells to form a pseudo endothelium. This study showcases the potential of using parsley stems for TEVGs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gustavo A. Vasquez-Montoya, Tadej Emersic, Noe Atzin, Antonio Tavera-Vazquez, Ali Mozaffari, Rui Zhang, Orlando Guzman, Alexey Snezhko, Paul F. Nealey, Juan J. de Pablo
Summary: The optical properties of liquid crystals are typically controlled by electric fields. In this study, we investigate the effects of microfluidic flows and acoustic fields on the molecular orientation and optical response of nematic liquid crystals. We identify several previously unknown structures and explain them through calculations and simulations. These findings hold promise for the development of new systems combining sound, flow, and confinement.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinjun Wu, Xin Guan, Shushu Chen, Jiangpeng Jia, Chongyi Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Chuanzhuang Zhao
Summary: This research presents a novel shape memory hydrogel with a remodelable permanent shape and programmable cold-induced shape recovery behavior. The hydrogel is prepared using specific treatment methods to achieve shape fixation by heating and shape recovery by cooling. Additionally, deformable devices can be obtained by assembling hydrogel blocks with different concentrations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca Hengsbach, Gerhard Fink, Ulrich Simon
Summary: This study examines the properties of DNA functionalized pNipmam microgels and pure pNipmam microgels at different concentrations of sodium chloride and in PBS solutions using temperature dependent H-1-NMR measurements. The results show that DNA modification affects the volume phase transition temperature and the addition of salt and PBS further enhances this effect.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ningyi Li, Junhong Li, Lijingting Qing, Shicheng Ma, Yao Li, Baohui Li
Summary: This paper investigates the self-assembly behavior of colloids with competing interactions under spherical confinement and finds that different ordered structures can be formed under different sized spherical confinements. Moreover, more perforated structures are formed in smaller spheres.