Themed collection Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles

36 items
Review Article

Soft robot-enabled controlled release of oral drug formulations

The creation of highly effective oral drug delivery systems (ODDSs) has long been the main objective of pharmaceutical research.

Graphical abstract: Soft robot-enabled controlled release of oral drug formulations
From the themed collection: Soft Robotics
Review Article

A critical review on robust self-cleaning properties of lotus leaf

The robust self-cleaning of a lotus leaf is the most classic and powerful phenomenon in nature, whose hybrid papillae and biological wax guarantee its functions.

Graphical abstract: A critical review on robust self-cleaning properties of lotus leaf
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Communication

Estimating the interfacial permeability for flow into a poroelastic medium

Streamlines of flow into a pore-scale model for a hydrogel, with colors indicating the velocity magnitude (red means larger). The entry pressure drop provides an estimation of the interfacial permeability.

Graphical abstract: Estimating the interfacial permeability for flow into a poroelastic medium
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Communication

Shape memory hydrogels with remodelable permanent shapes and programmable cold-induced shape recovery behavior

A self-healing hydrogel that can be stiffened with heat was designed. The synergy of self-healing and thermal hardening properties generated several interesting functions, such as programmable shape memory, impact protection and recyclability.

Graphical abstract: Shape memory hydrogels with remodelable permanent shapes and programmable cold-induced shape recovery behavior
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Communication

Using a molecular additive to control chiral supramolecular assembly and the subsequent chirality transfer process

Introduction of molecular additives can nontrivially not only control the supramolecular chirality, but also control the chirality transfer from one entity to another.

Graphical abstract: Using a molecular additive to control chiral supramolecular assembly and the subsequent chirality transfer process
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

Experimental and theoretical bulk phase diagram and interfacial tension of ouzo

We present a detailed experimental investigation into the phase behaviour of the famous ouzo system including critical point, tie-lines, surface tension and density measurements. We show excellent agreement with a lattice theory for the mixture density profiles and thermodynamics.

Graphical abstract: Experimental and theoretical bulk phase diagram and interfacial tension of ouzo
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

Axonal tension contributes to consistent fold placement

We propose a novel bilayer finite element model incorporating axonal tension in the subcortex. Our results reveal that axonal tension serves as a perturbation that triggers folding and determines the placement of folds.

Graphical abstract: Axonal tension contributes to consistent fold placement
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

The adhesion capability of Staphylococcus aureus cells is heterogeneously distributed over the cell envelope

By experiments and simulations on structured surfaces, we show that S. aureus cells have adhesive patches that are heterogeneously distributed across the cell envelope.

Graphical abstract: The adhesion capability of Staphylococcus aureus cells is heterogeneously distributed over the cell envelope
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
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
Paper

Extracting microscopic insight from transient dielectric measurements during large amplitude oscillatory shear

Branched and unbranched inverse worm-like micelles show distinct microstructural differences during transient large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) as probed by dielectric spectroscopy.

Graphical abstract: Extracting microscopic insight from transient dielectric measurements during large amplitude oscillatory shear
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

Yield stress-enabled microencapsulation of field responsive microparticle suspensions

Yield stress fluids can be used as core materials in microencapsulations of field responsive particle suspensions because they hinder particle diffusion and subsequent adsorption to the interface, therefore retaining particle translation and rotation in applied fields.

Graphical abstract: Yield stress-enabled microencapsulation of field responsive microparticle suspensions
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

Hierarchical defect-induced condensation in active nematics

In this in silico study, we show that phase-separated active nematics form −1/2 defects, contrary to the current paradigm. We also observe and characterize lateral arc-like structures separating from nematic bands and moving in transverse direction.

Graphical abstract: Hierarchical defect-induced condensation in active nematics
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

Phase behavior of soybean phosphatidylcholine and glycerol dioleate in hydrated and dehydrated states studied by small-angle X-ray scattering

Mixtures of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and glycerol diolate (GDO) in aqueous environments form a variety of liquid crystalline nanostructures, which can be used in drug delivery applications.

Graphical abstract: Phase behavior of soybean phosphatidylcholine and glycerol dioleate in hydrated and dehydrated states studied by small-angle X-ray scattering
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Active nematic liquid crystals simulated by particle-based mesoscopic methods

Multi-particle collision dynamics simulations based on mean-field interactions, conservation laws, and nematohydrodynamics are extended to active nematic liquid crystals to produce consistent dynamic topological structures and fields of orientation and flow.

Graphical abstract: Active nematic liquid crystals simulated by particle-based mesoscopic methods
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

Reaction-driven assembly: controlling changes in membrane topology by reaction cycles

Exploring how reaction cycles direct the non-equilibrium self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules into cell-like compartments by computer simulations.

Graphical abstract: Reaction-driven assembly: controlling changes in membrane topology by reaction cycles
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

Curvature-mediated programming of liquid crystal microflows

We use experiments and numerical simulations to demonstrate that the curvature of microfluidic devices allows for flow programming in liquid crystals.

Graphical abstract: Curvature-mediated programming of liquid crystal microflows
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

Active nematics with deformable particles

We extend theories of active nematics to incorporate cell shape changes. Sufficiently active systems display regions of active, elongated cells coexisting with regions of passive, circular cells.

Graphical abstract: Active nematics with deformable particles
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Chiral active matter in external potentials

We investigate the interplay between chirality and confinement induced by the presence of an external potential.

Graphical abstract: Chiral active matter in external potentials
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Effect of surface tension on elastocapillary wrinkling of interfacially adsorbed hydrogel disks with photothermally programmed swelling profiles

In this work, we study the influence of surface tension on light-induced wrinkling of hydrogel disks containing patterned regions of photothermally-active gold nanoparticles at the air–water interface.

Graphical abstract: Effect of surface tension on elastocapillary wrinkling of interfacially adsorbed hydrogel disks with photothermally programmed swelling profiles
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Tuneable defect-curvature coupling and topological transitions in active shells

Active liquid crystals use topology to create complex structures in curved geometries through mechanical coupling between topological defects and curvature. This links topological defects to morphogenetic events in biological development.

Graphical abstract: Tuneable defect-curvature coupling and topological transitions in active shells
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

3-D rotation tracking from 2-D images of spherical colloids with textured surfaces

Tracking the three-dimensional rotation of colloidal particles can help to answer many open questions, e.g. concerning the contact interactions between particles under flow, or the way in which obstacles and neighboring particles affect self-propulsion in active suspensions.

Graphical abstract: 3-D rotation tracking from 2-D images of spherical colloids with textured surfaces
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Synthesis of platinum(II)-complex end-tethered polymers: spectroscopic properties and nanostructured particles

Short-chain polystyrenes end-functionalized with [Pt(bzimpy)Cl]+ complexes can self-assemble into nanofibers, nanoellipsoids, and nanospheres with internal, sub-10 nm scale lamellar structures together with remarkable luminescence enhancement.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis of platinum(ii)-complex end-tethered polymers: spectroscopic properties and nanostructured particles
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

A new hyperelastic lookup table for RT-DC

An improved lookup table is introduced based on three-dimensional finite element simulations with a hyperelastic neo-Hookean solid and non-Newtonian fluid to extract the cell stiffness in real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC).

Graphical abstract: A new hyperelastic lookup table for RT-DC
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Biphasic nature of lipid bilayers assembled on silica nanoparticles and evidence for an interdigitated phase

Lipid bilayers on mesoscale silica nanoparticles are biphasic with evidence for an interdigitated phase on the smallest support (4 nm).

Graphical abstract: Biphasic nature of lipid bilayers assembled on silica nanoparticles and evidence for an interdigitated phase
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Syneresis of self-crowded calcium–alginate hydrogels as a self-driven athermal aging process

Syneresis of alginate hydrogels is accounted for by a closed-loop mechanism coupling network collapse events with the global solvent flow.

Graphical abstract: Syneresis of self-crowded calcium–alginate hydrogels as a self-driven athermal aging process
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

The role of surface topography in the self-assembly of polymeric surfactants

We propose a classical density functional theory model to study the self-assembly of polymeric surfactants on curved surfaces.

Graphical abstract: The role of surface topography in the self-assembly of polymeric surfactants
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Calorimetry of phase transitions in liquid crystal 8CB under shear flow

A differential scanning calorimeter equipped with a shearing system was developed to elucidate the thermodynamic properties of liquid crystalline materials under shear flow, and the phase transitions of 8CB were investigated.

Graphical abstract: Calorimetry of phase transitions in liquid crystal 8CB under shear flow
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Water–alcohol–TiO2 dispersions as sustainable ink

H2O–ROH–TiO2 dispersions cover a broad range of functional inks for several printing techniques.

Graphical abstract: Water–alcohol–TiO2 dispersions as sustainable ink
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Collective behavior of chiral active particles with anisotropic interactions in a confined space

We reveal significant combined roles of chirality, anisotropic interactions and spatial confinement in regulating the collective behavior of active matter systems.

Graphical abstract: Collective behavior of chiral active particles with anisotropic interactions in a confined space
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Hidden traces of chirality in the fluctuations of a fully unwound cholesteric

I show here that chirality introduces twist in the fluctuations of a fully unwound cholesteric layer, which are characterized by a critical slowing down of the decay frequencies when the concentration C of chiral molecules is increased.

Graphical abstract: Hidden traces of chirality in the fluctuations of a fully unwound cholesteric
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Open Access Paper

Microphase separation assisted reduction in the percolation threshold of MWCNT/block polymer composites

A non-linear reduction in percolation threshold from 0.46 to 0.19 vol% by transforming the phase into lamellar structures.

Graphical abstract: Microphase separation assisted reduction in the percolation threshold of MWCNT/block polymer composites
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Equilibrium behaviour of two cavity-confined polymers: effects of polymer width and system asymmetries

Computer simulations reveal the effects of contour length asymmetry, cavity elongation and polymer width on the organization and dynamics of a system of two polymers in a nanocavity.

Graphical abstract: Equilibrium behaviour of two cavity-confined polymers: effects of polymer width and system asymmetries
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Positional ordering induced by dynamic steric interactions in superparamagnetic rods

Precessing magnetic fields will induce positional ordering of superparamagnetic rods solely due to steric collisions. This transition occurs regardless of what induces precession and leads to synchronization-driven phase separation.

Graphical abstract: Positional ordering induced by dynamic steric interactions in superparamagnetic rods
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
Paper

Rheology of 3D printable ceramic suspensions: effects of non-adsorbing polymer on discontinuous shear thickening

We demonstrate how addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, a non-adsorbing polymer) affects the rheology of concentrated aqueous suspensions of colloidal alumina particles.

Graphical abstract: Rheology of 3D printable ceramic suspensions: effects of non-adsorbing polymer on discontinuous shear thickening
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
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

Building blocks of non-Euclidean ribbons: size-controlled self-assembly via discrete frustrated particles

Geometric frustration offers a pathway to soft matter self-assembly with controllable finite sizes. Microscopic features of misfitting particle shapes and interactions dictate the nature of inter-assembly stress of frustrated, hyperbolic ribbons.

Graphical abstract: Building blocks of non-Euclidean ribbons: size-controlled self-assembly via discrete frustrated particles
From the themed collection: Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
36 items

About this collection

Welcome to our online rolling collection of the hottest work published in Soft Matter. Here we feature recent Soft Matter articles highlighted as HOT by the handling editor and our referees.

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