Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pei Bai, Mingchao Ma, Li Sui, Yunlong Guo
Summary: This study demonstrates significant changes in stiffness and the ratio between elastic and viscous responses in thin PDMS films under nanoconfinement, with an enhanced elastic modulus and increased viscous response observed. The results contribute to a better understanding of the nanoconfinement effect on viscoelastic properties of soft matter.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Maria-Alexandra Paun, Vladimir-Alexandru Paun, Viorel-Puiu Paun
Summary: This paper studies the transport and escape of loaded polymers via a nanometer-sized aperture using nanomembrane driven by an exterior electrostatic field. A flux formula for polymers passing through a dimensional restricted pore is derived assuming a linear relationship between the friction coefficient and the number of segments, and a parabolic behavior for the open-free energy in the presence of an electrical potential across the nanopore. Additionally, the transport of linear polymers through a nanometer-sized pore under the action of a constant force is presented. The paper demonstrates the important mechanical effects of superimposed steady force and the number of monomers on the polymer translocation process by nanomembranes in a 2D diffusion model. The escape time as a function of electric field intensity and polymer monomers number is represented by a three-dimensional graph.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Swarn Lata Singh, Keerti Chauhan, Atul S. Bharadwaj, Vimal Kishore, Peter Laux, Andreas Luch, Ajay Vikram Singh
Summary: Various biological processes involve the translocation of macromolecules across nanopores; these pores are basically protein channels embedded in membranes. Understanding the mechanism of translocation is crucial to a range of technological applications, including DNA sequencing, single molecule detection, and controlled drug delivery. Despite past and ongoing studies, practical realization of low-cost, high-throughput sequencing devices using polymer translocation remains a challenge. This article reviews recent studies aimed at developing control over the dynamics of polymer translocation through nanopores.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bastien Molcrette, Lea Chazot-Franguiadakis, Francois Lienard, Zsombor Balassy, Celine Freton, Christophe Grangeasse, Fabien Montel
Summary: In this study, a synthetic translocation ratchet was successfully designed to mimic the important mechanism of transmembrane transport of biomolecules, and its efficiency was quantified as a nanopump. By measuring the translocation frequency of DNA molecules through nanoporous membranes, it was found that polycations could accelerate translocation in a ratchet-like fashion, and the ratchet efficiency only depended on the size of the DNA molecule.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Le Qiao, Maxime Ignacio, Gary W. Slater
Summary: By introducing an efficient Kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm to simulate the capture process by a nanopore, we are able to study time-dependent processes such as transients. Simulation results show that the steady-state depletion zone near the pore narrows at higher field intensities and a second depletion region can propagate inward from the outer wall in a finite sample reservoir. The flatness of the electric field near the pore induces a traffic jam that can significantly increase the transient time.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Nathan J. Rebello, Haley K. Beech, Bradley D. Olsen
Summary: The venerable Flory-Rehner and Bray-Merrill swelling theories for polymer networks were revised in this study to include contributions from cyclic topological defects. Swelling experiments on poly(ethylene glycol) gels with different loop densities showed that higher loop densities result in higher swelling ratios. A derived equation comparing swelling models independent of Flory-Huggins parameter demonstrated that the revised models incorporating loop defects are more accurate than traditional models.
Article
Polymer Science
A. Fiasconaro, G. Diez-Senorans, F. Falo
Summary: This study investigated the features of a homopolymer translocating through a flexible pore, revealing nonmonotonic and resonant-like behaviors with the elastic constant. The force spectroscopy can record the main kinetics of the polymer progression inside the pore.
Article
Polymer Science
Nan Jiang, Ke-Xin Li, Wei Xie, Shu-Ran Zhang, Xin Li, Yue Hu, Yan-Hong Xu, Xing-Man Liu, Martin R. Bryce
Summary: In this study, clusters with different extents of aggregation were successfully prepared by heat-induced or light-triggered methods, and the multicolor fluorescence of a single polymeric material was controllably regulated. The luminescence behavior of the material varied with the microscopic control of the aggregation structure. This research provides a template for developing new materials for multicolor fluorescence and demonstrates the potential of PUE as a smart material through the construction of a pattern with encryption, anticounterfeiting, and information transmission functions.
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Bappa Ghosh, Jalal Sarabadani, Srabanti Chaudhury, Tapio Ala-Nissila
Summary: The study investigates the translocation dynamics of a folded linear polymer pulled through a nanopore by an external force, with two main stages identified in the translocation process and detailed characterization of the dynamics from average waiting time and scaling form.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Lu-Wei Lu, Zhen-Hua Wang, An-Chang Shi, Yu-Yuan Lu, Li-Jia An
Summary: The translocation of polymers through smaller-than-its-size pores is a widely studied topic in polymer physics with important practical applications such as polymer separation, DNA sequencing, and bacterial infection. Significant progress has been made in understanding the rules and mechanisms of polymer translocation, including the roles of initial conformations, external fields, topology, and confinement. Controversies remain regarding the basic rules of translocation dynamics, such as force-induced versus flow-induced translocations and the effects of different polymer structures. Opportunities and challenges in polymer translocation research are also discussed.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Song Lu, Wanhao Cai, Nanpu Cao, Hu-jun Qian, Zhong-yuan Lu, Shuxun Cui
Summary: Linear polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) exhibits extraordinary flexibility despite its high molecular weight. The single-chain mechanics of PDMS, measured by atomic force microscopy, align with quantum mechanical calculations. The weak intra/interchain noncovalent interactions contribute to the relatively small modulus of PDMS.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Courtney M. Olson, Aaron M. Massari
Summary: FTIR and 2D-IR spectroscopies were used to study PDMS cross-linked elastomer films, showing that spectral line shapes were greatly influenced by heterogeneity, with only slight differences between heterogeneous and homogeneous dynamics even with significant macroscopic changes in different systems.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Zifeng Wang, Robert M. Ziolek, Mesfin Tsige
Summary: The translocation of polymers through pores and channels is extensively studied in biology and nanotechnology. Recent research using molecular simulations reveals the significant role of knot insertion rates in controlling the translocation dynamics of polymers with different topologies. This study provides new insights into polycatenane translocation and highlights the importance of carefully defining the translocation process.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Ivan Kriuchevskyi, Timothy W. Sirk, Alessio Zaccone
Summary: In this study, a mathematical description of amorphous solid deformation and plasticity is presented by extending the concept of instantaneous normal modes (INMs) to deformed systems. The linear response theory is formulated by considering the strain-dependent tangent modulus, and the prediction shows good agreement with simulations.
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
A. Belashov, Y. M. Beltukov, O. A. Moskalyuk, I. Semenova
Summary: This study applied a methodology based on analyzing changes in acoustic wave velocities under static stress to measure the third-order elastic moduli in three polystyrene-based nanocomposites with different fillers. The results demonstrated substantial variations in the nonlinear elastic moduli of composites with different fillers, which were in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions.
