Themed collection Soft Matter Recent HOT Articles
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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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1269-1281
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01624A
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1058-1075
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01521H
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.
Soft Matter, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SM00476K
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.
Soft Matter, 2024,20, 294-303
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM01429K
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 8680-8683
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM01211E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2024,20, 5889-5903
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SM00332B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2024,20, 3053-3065
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SM00129J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2024,20, 484-494
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM01045G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2024,20, 71-78
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM01199B
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 9379-9388
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00786C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 9139-9145
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00642E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 8954-8964
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00895A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 8305-8317
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM01067H
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 8052-8069
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00481C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 7281-7292
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00876B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 7084-7092
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00846K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 6664-6670
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00627A
Chiral active matter in external potentials
We investigate the interplay between chirality and confinement induced by the presence of an external potential.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 6234-6246
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00793F
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 3543-3550
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00001J
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 3423-3435
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01370C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 3069-3079
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00076A
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 2891-2901
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM00247K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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).
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 2064-2073
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01418A
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).
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1882-1889
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01517J
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1720-1731
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01496C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1709-1719
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01540D
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1492-1498
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01652D
Water–alcohol–TiO2 dispersions as sustainable ink
H2O–ROH–TiO2 dispersions cover a broad range of functional inks for several printing techniques.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1482-1491
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01590K
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1312-1329
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01402E
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1115-1130
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01646J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1109-1114
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01277D
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 1092-1108
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01413K
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 851-857
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01519F
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 882-891
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01396G
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 892-904
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01549H
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.
Soft Matter, 2023,19, 858-881
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM01371A
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.
Congratulations to all the authors whose articles are featured.