Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meiling Chen, Zhihua Lin, Mingjun Xuan, Xiankun Lin, Mingcheng Yang, Luru Dai, Qiang He
Summary: Control over dynamic assembly, disassembly, and reconfiguration of light-activated MoS2 colloidal motor swarms has been achieved through a photochemical reaction generating chemical gradients. Self-diffusiophoresis induced by locally consumed oxygen gradient drives phototactic process, allowing external regulation of collective migration and shapes. The programmable swarm transformation provides proof-of-concept for active soft materials with adaptive and interactive functions.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shurui Yuan, Xiankun Lin, Qiang He
Summary: The study focuses on the reconfigurable assembly of colloidal motors, which is driven and modulated by chemical reactions and external fields. It discusses the adaptive reconfiguration behaviors and mechanisms, aiming to develop interactive soft matter materials and systems with adaptation and interactive functions comparable to natural systems in the future.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tieyan Si, Zhenwei Wu, Wenping He, Qiang He
Summary: We studied the predatory-prey dynamics of self-propelled clusters of Janus micromotors, which generates an oxygen bubbles cloud by decomposing H2O2 and enhances its mobility to wander around and devour other clusters. The fast decomposition of H2O2 also induces a tubular low-concentration zone that bridges two far separated clusters, resulting in a diffusio-osmotic pressure that drives the clusters to meet. This predatory-prey phenomena mimic white blood cells chasing bacteria and swarming flocks in nature, shedding light on emergent collective intelligence in biology.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Jiaxing Yuan, Kyohei Takae, Hajime Tanaka
Summary: Zwitterionic modification of colloids with weak acids and bases is a promising strategy for creating functional materials with tunable properties and modeling the self-organization of charged proteins. In this study, we used simulations to demonstrate that the conformation of zwitterionic Janus nanoparticles undergoes a transition from an open assembly to a compact cluster with changes in pH, and this transition is qualitatively different under charge regulation than under constant charge conditions.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessandro Marchetti, Alessandro Gori, Anna Maria Ferretti, Daniel Arenas Esteban, Sara Bals, Claudia Pigliacelli, Pierangelo Metrangolo
Summary: Finite 3D structures with controlled morphology can be achieved in the out-of-equilibrium self-assembly of Au NPs using a spherical peptide-gold superstructure (PAuSS) as a template, resulting in a transient 3D-branched Au-nanoshell (BAuNS) stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). The BAuNS dismantles and regresses to PAuSS through equilibrium of SDS concentration gradient over time in the sample solution, causing NP disassembly. The assembly and disassembly of BAuNS promote temporary interparticle plasmonic coupling, enabling reversible and tunable changes in their plasmonic properties, which is highly desirable for the development of optoelectronic nanodevices.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew J. Lutz, Chris R. Reid, Christopher J. Lustri, Albert B. Kao, Simon Garnier, Iain D. Couzin
Summary: Evolved collective systems have the innate ability to rapidly adapt to dynamic environmental conditions by filtering individual sensory inputs through local interactions to produce adaptive responses at the group level. Through field experiments with army ants, it was shown that scaffolds self-assembled on inclined surfaces can reduce losses of foragers and prey, facilitating traffic flow without needing complex communication among the ants. The theoretical model presented in the study demonstrates how individual behaviors underlying scaffold formation can lead to group-level effects, predicting the growth and final size of scaffolds.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Qihan Zhang, Yuwei Yan, Jun Liu, Yingjie Wu, Qiang He
Summary: This feature article introduces the controllable self-assembly technology of supramolecular colloidal motors and their research progress in the fields of biomedicine and environment. The research provides new opportunities for precise fabrication of colloidal motors and explores the relationship between structure and propulsion.
CURRENT OPINION IN COLLOID & INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shaoming Fu, Dongmei Fu, Dazhi Xie, Lu Liu, Bin Chen, Yicheng Ye, Daniela A. Wilson, Fei Peng
Summary: This study presents a highly controllable swarm of test-tube shaped gold-copper micromotors that can be driven and aggregated under near-infrared irradiation. The high temperature in the swarm center, generated by the photothermal properties, can be utilized for tumor phototherapy. This research not only provides a controllable platform for tumor treatment, but also sheds new light on the collective and cooperative behavior of micromotors.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
R. F. de Souza, S. Zaccheroni, M. Ricci, C. Zannoni
Summary: In this study, it was found that under specific conditions of active particle concentration, propelling force, and temperature, self-propelling particles can form self-assembling parallel streams in a liquid crystal matrix.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bin Liu, Juntian Wu, Marc Geerts, Omer Markovitch, Charalampos G. Pappas, Kai Liu, Sijbren Otto
Summary: This article explores the results of competition between two self-replicators of different sizes and compositions in closed and open systems. The study found that in a closed system, the slower self-replicator prevails, while in an open system, the faster self-replicator dominates.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nuoer Celi, De Gong, Jun Cai
Summary: This study introduces a simple and efficient strategy to produce flexible sperm-like nanorobots with self-assembled head-to-tail structures, and investigates their bidirectional propulsion capabilities in detail. These nanorobots consist of a superparamagnetic head and a flexible Au/PPy flagellum, able to propel themselves in two directions under precessing magnetic fields.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Botian Li, Da Xiao, Xiaodong Gai, Bo Yan, Haimu Ye, Liming Tang, Qiong Zhou
Summary: In this study, coordination polymers with azo groups on the main chain were prepared through the coordination of C-3 symmetric azopyridine ligands and Ag(i). The trans coordination polymer exhibited self-healing and multi-stimuli response, forming an organogel, while the cis coordination polymer assembled into responsive nanoparticles that can produce fibrous precipitation under light irradiation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xia Peng, Mario Urso, Martina Ussia, Martin Pumera
Summary: This study presents the spontaneous assembly of hematite-based microrobots with different shapes and showcases their fuel-free motion ability under light irradiation. The researchers discovered that microrobots with different shapes exhibit different assembly behavior and synchronized motions. These light-powered self-assembled microchains demonstrate innovative cooperative behavior and hold great potential for multitasking operations at a small scale.
Review
Cell Biology
Rohit Joshi, Rashmi Sipani, Asif Bakshi
Summary: Hox genes play a crucial role in determining the anterior-posterior axis in animal body plans. They are involved in neurogenesis and myogenesis, and also control the assembly and function of neuromuscular networks, ultimately affecting behavior.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hossein Eslami, Florian Mueller-Plathe
Summary: The self-assembly of triblock Janus particles and the relative stability of different lattices were simulated. The nucleation process consists of two steps: the formation of a compact and disordered liquid cluster, followed by the reorientation of particles to form crystalline nuclei. The nucleation barriers for pyrochlore and perovskite were similar to previously studied 2D kagome lattices, while the barrier for diamond was larger.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chang Zhou, Changyong Gao, Yingjie Wu, Tieyan Si, Mingcheng Yang, Qiang He
Summary: We directly observed the torque-driven active reorientation of glucose-fueled flasklike colloidal motors to a glucose gradient with positive chemotaxis. The study examined the dynamic glucose-gradient-induced alignment and orientation-dependent motility during positive chemotaxis. The motors generate a glucose acid gradient and a glucose gradient through enzymatic reactions, which create phoretic torques at the bottom and the opening, continuously steering the motors towards the glucose gradient. These glucose-fueled flasklike colloidal motors, with chemotactic capability similar to living organisms, hold significant potential for engineering active delivery vehicles in response to specific chemical signals.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ye Yuan, Changyong Gao, Zhexu Wang, Jianming Fan, Haofei Zhou, Daolin Wang, Chang Zhou, Baohua Zhu, Qiang He
Summary: Janus micromotors powered by enzymes and functionalized with upconversion nanoparticles can efficiently move and detect uric acid in urine, showing promise for multifunctional micro/nanomotors in bioassay and biomedical applications.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Wang, Zhiguang Wu, Ling Yang, Tieyan Si, Qiang He
Summary: In this study, bio-inspired polyelectrolyte multilayer conical nanoswimmers with gold-nanoshell functionalization on different segments were designed using bottom-up controllable molecular assembly. The presence of gold nanoshells on the big openings of the nanoswimmers not only provided efficient directional propulsion but also minimized the impact from the external flow. The experiment demonstrated that the nanoswimmers with gold nanoshells could achieve acoustically powered propulsion against a flow velocity of up to 2.00 mm/s, which is higher than the blood velocity in capillaries, thus proving the concept of upstream nanoswimmers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shurui Yuan, Xiankun Lin, Qiang He
Summary: The study focuses on the reconfigurable assembly of colloidal motors, which is driven and modulated by chemical reactions and external fields. It discusses the adaptive reconfiguration behaviors and mechanisms, aiming to develop interactive soft matter materials and systems with adaptation and interactive functions comparable to natural systems in the future.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Xiankun Lin, Xianxing Yu, Weidong Li
Summary: A niching hybrid heuristic whale optimization algorithm (NHWOA) is proposed in this research to enhance convergence speed and search coverage in solving global optimization problems. The algorithm addresses the issue of premature convergence in whale optimization algorithm by introducing the niching technique and heuristic adjustment of parameters.
COMPUTERS & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jie Lin, Dinghu Zhang, Jian Yu, Ting Pan, Xiaoxia Wu, Tianxiang Chen, Changyong Gao, Chao Chen, Xiaotian Wang, Aiguo Wu
Summary: The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique relies on the intensity difference of the Raman signal to identify tumor cells. In order to enhance the reliability and accuracy of SERS signal, it is crucial to explore novel SERS nanostructures that possess excellent spectral stability, high enhancement factor (EF), and good biocompatibility. The development of novel amorphous nitrogen-doped carbon (NDC) nanocages (NCs) with a high SERS EF (5.52 x 106) has addressed these requirements, offering unique advantages in distinguishing tumor cells and enabling the quantitative recognition of triple-negative breast cancer cells based on SERS detection mode.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xuemin Zhang, Jian Wu, Xiankun Lin, Xiujuan Fan, Xiaofeng Zhang
Summary: In this research, a dual-phase nanostructured coating with high hydrophobic structure was proposed to mimic the lotus leaf surface. The surface structure was created using plasma spray-physical vapor deposition technology, showing a contact angle greater than 130 degrees, which has great potential in waterproofing and hydrophobicity.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Johannes Frueh, Sven Rutkowski, Tieyan Si, Meiyu Gai, Changyong Gao, Sergei Tverdokhlebov, Guangyu Qiu, Jean Schmitt, Qiang He, Yu-Xuan Ren, Jing Wang
Summary: This study presents a precise force measurement method and detailed analysis of the propulsion mechanisms of colloidal Janus micromotors. The findings reveal that thermophoretic and steam bubble forces are the key factors driving the propulsion of Janus micromotors, while the bubble force in the direction of light counteracts photophoretic force.
ADVANCED PHOTONICS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Hongyue Zhang, Zesheng Li, Qiang He
Summary: Researchers have developed swimming hybrid cell-based robots composed of living cells to address the issue of immune clearance and fouling in synthetic swimming nanorobots. These swimming cellbots inherit biological functions from natural cells and can achieve various modes of locomotion through their synthetic parts. Dual-responsive neutrobots, as a representative example, have been utilized to cross the blood-brain barrier and target glioblastoma with high drug delivery efficiency. Swimming cellbots show potential in biomedical fields by loading different types of drugs and navigating through natural chemotaxis and external physical fields.
ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Hongyue Zhang, Liting Wang, Zesheng Li, Yuxing Ji, Zhiguang Wu, Qiang He
Summary: The toxicity effects of PTX-loaded magnetic neutrophil-hybrid swimming microrobots (neutrobots) were evaluated in mice after intravenous administration. Minimal immunotoxicity and liver and kidney toxicity were observed in mice 72 hours after receiving a dose of 3 x 10(6) PTX-loaded neutrobots. The low toxicity of drug-loaded neutrobots shows great promise for biomedical applications.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haichao Li, Yue Li, Jun Liu, Qiang He, Yingjie Wu
Summary: This review summarizes the recent progress in synthesized Janus colloidal motors (JCMs), focusing on their fabrication method, propulsion strategy, and biomedical applications. The common propulsion mechanisms of JCMs are reviewed, as well as the approaches to control their motion under complex microscopic conditions based on symmetry-breaking strategies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zesheng Li, Jie Xu, Zhiguang Wu, Bin Guo, Qiang He
Summary: Liquid metal gallium-based materials have potential promises in various fields such as bioengineering and smart medicine, with particular focus on the development of flexible robots. Swimming nanorobots, designed to convert energy into kinetic energy at the micro/nanoscale, show potential in in vivo applications. However, challenges remain in terms of biocompatibility and navigation at smaller scales.
ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2022)
