Themed collection Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series

87 items - Showing page 1 of 2
Open Access Perspective

Predicting polymer solubility from phase diagrams to compatibility: a perspective on challenges and opportunities

Advances in physical models and data science are improving predictions of polymer–solvent phase behavior and we discuss the different approaches taken today and the remaining barriers to making broadly useful predictions.

Graphical abstract: Predicting polymer solubility from phase diagrams to compatibility: a perspective on challenges and opportunities
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Perspective

The sweetest polymer nanoparticles: opportunities ahead for glycogen in nanomedicine

Glycogen is a biomaterial nanoparticle composed of sugar. In this perspective, the opportunities of glycogen in nanomedicine going forward is discussed.

Graphical abstract: The sweetest polymer nanoparticles: opportunities ahead for glycogen in nanomedicine
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Perspective

A new order of liquids: polar order in nematic liquid crystals

Given the widespread adoption of display technology based on nematic liquid crystals, the discovery of new nematic phases at thermodynamic equilibrium, although extremely rare, generates much excitement.

Graphical abstract: A new order of liquids: polar order in nematic liquid crystals
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Review Article

Lipid lateral diffusion: mechanisms and modulators

Various models of lipid lateral diffusion which gives distinct shapes of quasielastic neutron scattering spectra: ballistic motion – Gaussian, continuous/jump diffusion – Lorentzian, and confined diffusion – combined elastic and Lorentzian.

Graphical abstract: Lipid lateral diffusion: mechanisms and modulators
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Review Article

Theory and simulation of ligand functionalized nanoparticles – a pedagogical overview

Synthesizing reconfigurable nanoscale synthons with predictive control over shape, size, and interparticle interactions is a holy grail of bottom-up self-assembly.

Graphical abstract: Theory and simulation of ligand functionalized nanoparticles – a pedagogical overview
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Review Article

Worm blobs as entangled living polymers: from topological active matter to flexible soft robot collectives

Living worms form “blobs,” active entangled physical structures with emergent properties. We show how these worms provide a fascinating platform to study active polymer physics.

Graphical abstract: Worm blobs as entangled living polymers: from topological active matter to flexible soft robot collectives
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Review Article

Fluid manipulation via multifunctional lubricant infused slippery surfaces: principle, design and applications

Water-repellent interfaces with high performance have emerged as an indispensable platform for developing advanced materials and devices.

Graphical abstract: Fluid manipulation via multifunctional lubricant infused slippery surfaces: principle, design and applications
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Review Article

Solvent-assisted self-assembly of block copolymer thin films

Solvent-assisted block copolymer self-assembly is a compelling method for advancing practical applications of these materials due to the exceptional level of the control of BCP morphology and significant acceleration of ordering kinetics.

Graphical abstract: Solvent-assisted self-assembly of block copolymer thin films
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Communication

An organic/inorganic hybrid soft material for supramolecular adhesion

An organic/inorganic hybrid supramolecular adhesive with 3D printing capacity was prepared from low-molecular-weight monomers.

Graphical abstract: An organic/inorganic hybrid soft material for supramolecular adhesion
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Communication

Quantifying the trade-off between stiffness and permeability in hydrogels

Hydrogels have a distinct trade-off between mechanical stiffness and water permeability due to the spacing of polymer strands.

Graphical abstract: Quantifying the trade-off between stiffness and permeability in hydrogels
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Communication

A simple simulation-derived descriptor for the deposition of polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes on functionalized substrates

Analysis of solvent structure obtained from all-atom molecular dynamics simulations reveals a descriptor that predicts the experimental deposition of polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes.

Graphical abstract: A simple simulation-derived descriptor for the deposition of polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes on functionalized substrates
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Communication

Repulsive torques alone trigger crystallization of constant speed active particles

Active particles which repel each other through torques crystallize without reducing their intrinsic speed.

Graphical abstract: Repulsive torques alone trigger crystallization of constant speed active particles
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Communication

Temperature-dependent reentrant phase transition of RNA–polycation mixtures

In this letter, we report that RNA–polycation mixtures display a temperature-controlled dual-response phase behavior with concurrent UCST and LCST transitions.

Graphical abstract: Temperature-dependent reentrant phase transition of RNA–polycation mixtures
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Towards a universal model for the foaming behavior of surfactants: a case study on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Foam fractionation offers a promising solution for the separation of surface-active contaminants from water.

Graphical abstract: Towards a universal model for the foaming behavior of surfactants: a case study on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Ultrahigh yields of giant vesicles obtained through mesophase evolution and breakup

We report the discovery of a novel mechanism for the assembly of giant unilamellar vesicles, where fluid shear-induced fragmentation of a foam-like lamellar lipid mesophase occurs in lipid mixtures containing 3 mol% PEG2000-DSPE.

Graphical abstract: Ultrahigh yields of giant vesicles obtained through mesophase evolution and breakup
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Liquid crystalline collagen assemblies as substrates for directed alignment of human Schwann cells

Collagen is a key component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and well-oriented domains of collagen are important for mimicking the local cell environment in vitro. Here, we demonstrate macroscopic alignment on collagen in 2-D substrates and 3-D hydrogels.

Graphical abstract: Liquid crystalline collagen assemblies as substrates for directed alignment of human Schwann cells
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Active nematics in corrugated channels

In corrugated channels, active nematics transition from counter-rotating swirls to coherent flows. Swirling structures in the corrugations facilitate slip, lowering the critical activity needed for the transition.

Graphical abstract: Active nematics in corrugated channels
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Probing the physical origins of droplet friction using a critically damped cantilever

Critically damped droplet force apparatus enables high-speed friction measurements on superhydrophobic surfaces without ringing artefacts. This reveals a new regime, where FfricU2/3, due to viscous dissipation in the air layer during lift-off.

Graphical abstract: Probing the physical origins of droplet friction using a critically damped cantilever
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Thermodynamics description of startup flow of soft particles glasses

Structural anisotropy in shear flow and its effect on the excess entropy of soft pastes.

Graphical abstract: Thermodynamics description of startup flow of soft particles glasses
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Computational investigation of the effects of polymer grafting on the effective interaction between silica nanoparticles in water

Altering solvent-mediated effective interaction between silica nanoparticles in water through polymer grafting.

Graphical abstract: Computational investigation of the effects of polymer grafting on the effective interaction between silica nanoparticles in water
From the themed collection: Colloidal interactions, dynamics and rheology
Open Access Paper

Elucidating the role of physicochemical interactions on gel rheology

Bond kinetics and network restructuring in gels control their yield transition and thixotropic recovery.

Graphical abstract: Elucidating the role of physicochemical interactions on gel rheology
From the themed collection: Colloidal interactions, dynamics and rheology
Open Access Paper

Phoresis kernel theory for passive and active spheres with nonuniform phoretic mobility

Phoresis kernels define the local contribution of driving field or flux to the overall translational and rotational dynamics of the microswimmer.

Graphical abstract: Phoresis kernel theory for passive and active spheres with nonuniform phoretic mobility
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Controlling the thermally-driven crystallization of DNA-coated nanoparticles with formamide

DNA-driven assembly of colloidal crystals often requires annealing at temperatures that can damage DNA-nanoparticle bonds. Here we show that regulating assembly thermodynamics with DNA denaturants enables crystallization under ambient conditions.

Graphical abstract: Controlling the thermally-driven crystallization of DNA-coated nanoparticles with formamide
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Asymmetric toughening in the lap shear of metamaterial structural adhesives

Metamaterial structural adhesives with a thick asymmetric backing and thin adhesive layer offer superior advantages over traditional uniform adhesives, including enhanced adhesion due to the crack trapping mechanism and asymmetric properties.

Graphical abstract: Asymmetric toughening in the lap shear of metamaterial structural adhesives
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Quantitative turbidimetric characterization of stabilized complex coacervate dispersions

The stabilization of complex coacervate microdroplets can be modulated by the concentrations of cPE stabilizer and salt, enabling their various applications, such as bioreactors, drug delivery vehicles, and encapsulants.

Graphical abstract: Quantitative turbidimetric characterization of stabilized complex coacervate dispersions
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Effect of surface viscoelasticity on top jet drops produced by bursting bubbles

Our work investigates the dynamics of top jet drops from bubble bursting at the free surface of mixed protein–surfactant solutions, where surface viscoelasticity profoundly influences drop characterization.

Graphical abstract: Effect of surface viscoelasticity on top jet drops produced by bursting bubbles
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Core-softened colloid under extreme geometrical confinement

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate how core-softened colloids respond to extreme confinement, identifying a mono-to-bilayer transition and highlighting the emergence of the square phase.

Graphical abstract: Core-softened colloid under extreme geometrical confinement
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Heterogeneity-induced retraction in viscoelastic fluids following cessation of flow

Complex fluids including entangled wormlike micelles (WLMs) can develop heterogeneous flow regions in steady shear flow. We show that flow heterogeneity in WLMs can cause significant retraction of the fluid upon cessation of the imposed flow.

Graphical abstract: Heterogeneity-induced retraction in viscoelastic fluids following cessation of flow
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Optimizing anisotropic transport on bioinspired sawtooth surfaces

Biomimetic surfaces inspired by butterfly wings serve as a template to better understand anisotropic wetting and droplet motion.

Graphical abstract: Optimizing anisotropic transport on bioinspired sawtooth surfaces
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Mesoscale simulations of diffusion and sedimentation in shape-anisotropic nanoparticle suspensions

We investigate the self-diffusion and sedimentation of suspensions of shape-anisotropic nanoparticles using a novel mesoscale model.

Graphical abstract: Mesoscale simulations of diffusion and sedimentation in shape-anisotropic nanoparticle suspensions
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Spontaneous oscillation of an active filament under viscosity gradients

We investigate the effects of uniform viscosity gradients on the spontaneous oscillations of an elastic, active filament in viscous fluids.

Graphical abstract: Spontaneous oscillation of an active filament under viscosity gradients
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Emergence of preferential flow paths and intermittent dynamics in emulsion transport in porous media

Emulsions injected into 2D porous media flow through pores with higher local velocities without being selective about the size of the pores they encounter, leading to the trapping of a large number of them and the formation of preferential paths.

Graphical abstract: Emergence of preferential flow paths and intermittent dynamics in emulsion transport in porous media
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

In situ polymer gelation in confined flow controls intermittent dynamics

When alginate and calcium mix in a microfluidic junction, the system either flows, clogs, or demonstrates intermittency: gel repeatedly deposits, causing increased pressure, then ablates. The gel maintains its shape upon ablation to form micro-rods.

Graphical abstract: In situ polymer gelation in confined flow controls intermittent dynamics
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Optimal face-to-face coupling for fast self-folding kirigami

We show the potential for improvement of the folding dynamics of two-level kirigami structures by optimizing the naturally occurring hydrodynamic coupling between the levels.

Graphical abstract: Optimal face-to-face coupling for fast self-folding kirigami
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Anisotropic run-and-tumble-turn dynamics

By modeling run-and-tumble-turn particles that can only travel and turn along the four Cartesian axes, we show how microscopic anisotropic features extend to macroscopic scales, and are inherited, in the interacting case, by global order.

Graphical abstract: Anisotropic run-and-tumble-turn dynamics
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Exploring how cation entropy influences electric double layer formation and electrochemical reactivity

The entropy of ions governs the structure and composition of electric double layers with major implications for electrocatalytic activity.

Graphical abstract: Exploring how cation entropy influences electric double layer formation and electrochemical reactivity
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Elasticity tunes mechanical stress localization around active topological defects

Topological defects play diverse roles in biology. We find that tuning the passive elasticity substantially changes the intensity and extent of stresses, and in active systems can invert the defect motion and stress pattern.

Graphical abstract: Elasticity tunes mechanical stress localization around active topological defects
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Branched copolymer surfactants impart thermoreversible gelation to LAPONITE® gels

Composite solutions of LAPONITE® and branched copolymer surfactants give thermoreversible sol–gel transitions due to nanostructural assembly processes.

Graphical abstract: Branched copolymer surfactants impart thermoreversible gelation to LAPONITE® gels
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Stimuli-directed selective detection of Cu2+ and Cr2O72− ions using a pH-responsive chitosan-poly(aminoamide) fluorescent microgel in aqueous media

In this work, the preparation of a pH-responsive fluorescent microgel, (NANO-PAMAM-CHT), is presented for the selective detection of Cu2+ and Cr2O72− ions.

Graphical abstract: Stimuli-directed selective detection of Cu2+ and Cr2O72− ions using a pH-responsive chitosan-poly(aminoamide) fluorescent microgel in aqueous media
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Geometric learning of knot topology

Unambiguous knot classification is a long-standing problem. In this paper, the authors use Machine Learning to classify all knots up to 10 crossings with more than 95% accuracy and also to distinguish knots with multiple identical knot polynomials.

Graphical abstract: Geometric learning of knot topology
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Hydrophobically modified complex coacervates for designing aqueous pressure-sensitive adhesives

The rheology of complex coacervates can be elegantly tuned via the design and control of specific non-covalent hydrophobic interactions between the complexed polymer chains.

Graphical abstract: Hydrophobically modified complex coacervates for designing aqueous pressure-sensitive adhesives
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Rate-dependent stress-order coupling in main-chain liquid crystal elastomers

This study reports rate-dependent measurements and relaxation of stress, director rotation, and shear strain in main-chain nematic LCEs subjected to uniaxial tension with various initial directors, which is further explained by an analytical model.

Graphical abstract: Rate-dependent stress-order coupling in main-chain liquid crystal elastomers
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Effects of crowding on the diffusivity of membrane adhered particles

We investigate changes in the diffusivity and rheology of particles tethered to a lipid bilayer as they become highly crowded.

Graphical abstract: Effects of crowding on the diffusivity of membrane adhered particles
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

The cohesive properties and pyrolysis mechanism of an aprotic ionic liquid tetrabutylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide

This work proposed a novel method to calculate the wide-temperature-range cohesive properties of organic salts in both the liquid and solid states, and first calculate the charge separation distance in the single ion pair of the vapor.

Graphical abstract: The cohesive properties and pyrolysis mechanism of an aprotic ionic liquid tetrabutylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Capillary detachment of a microparticle from a liquid–liquid interface

Microparticles at a liquid–liquid interface are common in many material systems, from Pickering emulsions to capillary suspensions. Confocal and colloidal probe microscopy are combined to measure meniscus shape and detachment forces.

Graphical abstract: Capillary detachment of a microparticle from a liquid–liquid interface
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Effect of small amounts of akaganeite (β-FeOOH) nanorods on the gelation, phase behaviour and injectability of thermoresponsive Pluronic F127

Composite hydrogels containing small amounts of paramagnetic akaganeite (β-FeOOH) nanorods in PF127 triblock copolymer show enhanced thermal stability and injectability which could find applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery.

Graphical abstract: Effect of small amounts of akaganeite (β-FeOOH) nanorods on the gelation, phase behaviour and injectability of thermoresponsive Pluronic F127
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Soft, flexible pressure sensors for pressure monitoring under large hydrostatic pressure and harsh ocean environments

A soft, flexible pressure sensor is developed to measure hydrostatic pressure in the ocean environment, which can be potentially integrated with many platforms including diver equipment and marine animal tags for real-time pressure monitoring.

Graphical abstract: Soft, flexible pressure sensors for pressure monitoring under large hydrostatic pressure and harsh ocean environments
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Crossover behavior in stress relaxations of poroelastic and viscoelastic dominant hydrogels

AFM measurement reveals that two distinct mechanisms determine the crossover phenomenon in the stress relaxation of hydrogels. This contributes to a better understanding of similar mechanical behaviors of cells and tissues.

Graphical abstract: Crossover behavior in stress relaxations of poroelastic and viscoelastic dominant hydrogels
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Influence of surfactant on glass transition temperature of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles

Presented is an experimental study of PVA and DMAB stabilized PLGA particles and the measurement of their Tg's with mDSC.

Graphical abstract: Influence of surfactant on glass transition temperature of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Microfluidic nanobubbles: observations of a sudden contraction of microbubbles into nanobubbles

Utilizing a microfluidic flow-focusing chip to generate monodisperse bulk nanaobubbles. We make the surprising observation of a critical microbubble diameter above and below which the scale of bubble shrinkage dramatically changes.

Graphical abstract: Microfluidic nanobubbles: observations of a sudden contraction of microbubbles into nanobubbles
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Investigating the cut-off effect of n-alcohols on lipid movement: a biophysical study

Cellular membranes are responsible for absorbing the effects of external perturbants for the cell's survival.

Graphical abstract: Investigating the cut-off effect of n-alcohols on lipid movement: a biophysical study
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Magnetic field enabled in situ control over the structure and dynamics of colloids interacting via SALR potentials

A model system of tunable, competing short-range attraction (SA) and long-range repulsion (LR) among colloidal particles is developed which encompasses a diverse range of assembled states, including fractal clusters and a Wigner glass state.

Graphical abstract: Magnetic field enabled in situ control over the structure and dynamics of colloids interacting via SALR potentials
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Investigating structure and dynamics of unentangled poly(dimethyl-co-diphenyl)siloxane via molecular dynamics simulation

Poly(dimethyl-co-diphenyl)siloxane has improved mechanical properties compared with polydimethylsiloxane. We used atomistic molecular dynamics simulation to investigate how the diphenyl contents slow down the relaxation dynamics of the copolymers.

Graphical abstract: Investigating structure and dynamics of unentangled poly(dimethyl-co-diphenyl)siloxane via molecular dynamics simulation
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

A coarse-grained simulation model for colloidal self-assembly via explicit mobile binders

Developing a model for assembly of colloids with mobile binding sites, we probe the physics of assembly of adhesion patches between particles. We find design rules for assembly of low valence chains, and also study the folding behavior of these ‘colloidomers’.

Graphical abstract: A coarse-grained simulation model for colloidal self-assembly via explicit mobile binders
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Deforming active droplets in viscoelastic solutions

In a viscoelastic environment, characterized by Deborah number (De), active droplets get deformed and perform zig-zag motion. This unique motion is inextricably linked to the swimming mode employed by them.

Graphical abstract: Deforming active droplets in viscoelastic solutions
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Dynamic shapes of floppy vesicles enclosing active Brownian particles with membrane adhesion

The combined effect of self-propulsion and membrane adhesion of colloidal particles in a fluid vesicle is studied numerically. Novel ring-, sheet-, and branched-polymer-like particle arrangements are obtained.

Graphical abstract: Dynamic shapes of floppy vesicles enclosing active Brownian particles with membrane adhesion
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Prediction of zwitterion hydration and ion association properties using machine learning

Hydration and ion association data for a library of zwitterions was produced by molecular dynamics simulations. Machine learning was applied to reveal how chemical design influences target properties.

Graphical abstract: Prediction of zwitterion hydration and ion association properties using machine learning
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Torsion-induced stick-slip phenomena in the delamination of soft adhesives

Propagation of stick-slip waves along the circumference of soft adhesive cylinders under combined torsion and compression is shown experimentally and explained by a theoretical model.

Graphical abstract: Torsion-induced stick-slip phenomena in the delamination of soft adhesives
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Preparation of polymer nanoparticle-based complex coacervate hydrogels using polymerisation-induced self-assembly derived nanogels

pH-responsive nanogels synthesised by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer mediated polymerisation-induced self-assembly were used to prepare shear-thinning polymer nanoparticle-based complex coacervate hydrogels.

Graphical abstract: Preparation of polymer nanoparticle-based complex coacervate hydrogels using polymerisation-induced self-assembly derived nanogels
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Boundary design regulates the diffusion of active matter in heterogeneous environments

The transport of self-propelled particles in porous media is sensitive to boundary design; effective temperature corrections to Brownian models tend to overestimate the diffusivity of active swimmers after normalizing by their bulk self-diffusivity.

Graphical abstract: Boundary design regulates the diffusion of active matter in heterogeneous environments
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Diffusiophoresis of a spherical particle in porous media

We develop a mathematical model that can predict the diffusiophoretic motion of a charged colloidal particle driven by a binary monovalent electrolyte concentration gradient in porous media.

Graphical abstract: Diffusiophoresis of a spherical particle in porous media
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Long term phase separation dynamics in liquid crystal-enriched microdroplets obtained from binary fluid mixtures

Herein, we compare the phase separation dynamics of binary liquid–liquid crystal mixtures in droplet-based confinement to behaviour in the bulk using experiments, computer simulations and thermodynamic considerations.

Graphical abstract: Long term phase separation dynamics in liquid crystal-enriched microdroplets obtained from binary fluid mixtures
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Two-dimensional diffusiophoretic colloidal banding: optimizing the spatial and temporal design of solute sinks and sources

We numerically explore diffusiophoretic banding of colloidal particles in two dimensions by spatio-temporally designing solute sources and sinks. We discover an optimal design set by a balance of interpole diffusion and molar rate decay timescales.

Graphical abstract: Two-dimensional diffusiophoretic colloidal banding: optimizing the spatial and temporal design of solute sinks and sources
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Structures, thermodynamics and dynamics of topological defects in Gay–Berne nematic liquid crystals

Molecular modeling of topological defect motion under temperature gradients.

Graphical abstract: Structures, thermodynamics and dynamics of topological defects in Gay–Berne nematic liquid crystals
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

To thread or not to thread? Effective potentials and threading interactions between asymmetric ring polymers

Using computer simulations of a system of two unlinked rings we show and explain how the threading roles of the rings can be exchanged when their length and bending stiffness are varied.

Graphical abstract: To thread or not to thread? Effective potentials and threading interactions between asymmetric ring polymers
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Machine learning enabled quantification of the hydrogen bonds inside the polyelectrolyte brush layer probed using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations

Machine learning method has been employed to quantify the changes in water–water hydrogen bonding inside densely grafted polyelectrolyte brush layer, as compared to the water–water hydrogen bonding outside the brush layer.

Graphical abstract: Machine learning enabled quantification of the hydrogen bonds inside the polyelectrolyte brush layer probed using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Effect of variations in manufacturing and material properties on the self-folding behaviors of hydrogel and elastomer bilayer structures

Thermal expansion model is adopted to predict the folding angles of the temperature-responsive nanocomposite hydrogel/elastomer bilayer structures to study the effect ofinevitable variations in manufacturing and material properties on folding angles.

Graphical abstract: Effect of variations in manufacturing and material properties on the self-folding behaviors of hydrogel and elastomer bilayer structures
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

High-χ, low-N micelles from partially perfluorinated block polymers

High-χ conditions from fluorophobic block polymers enable persistent micelles with core blocks consisting of just 11 mer units and having elongated conformations.

Graphical abstract: High-χ, low-N micelles from partially perfluorinated block polymers
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Paper

Interplay between substrate rigidity and tissue fluidity regulates cell monolayer spreading

Using a cell-based computational model of a spreading cell monolayer, we show that the interplay between tissue fluidity and substrate rigidity regulates the rate of collective spreading.

Graphical abstract: Interplay between substrate rigidity and tissue fluidity regulates cell monolayer spreading
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Yield precursor in primary creep of colloidal gels

Colloidal gels under moderate stress show an early precursor to yield detectable at macroscopic length scales. This precursor arises from accumulation of local plastic events.

Graphical abstract: Yield precursor in primary creep of colloidal gels
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Emerging Investigators Series
87 items - Showing page 1 of 2

About this collection

Soft Matter is proud to present this series, showcasing work being conducted by Emerging Investigators. This collection gathers the very best work from soft matter scientists in the early stages of their independent careers in recognition of their potential to influence future directions in the field.
This collection will be updated when new Emerging Investigator Series papers are published – so keep checking this page and watch the collection grow.
More details about the Emerging Investigator Series can be found on the Soft Matter blog, including details on how to apply for consideration and more information about the corresponding authors featured in this collection.

Spotlight

Advertisements