Soft Matter[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Liquid-liquid phase separation as a structuring tool for designing anisotropic food systems.
Madadlou A
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41914926 · Publisher ↗
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a key mechanism in the formation of biomolecular condensates in cells and provides a versatile framework for structuring soft materials. In food systems, LLPS spans applications f...
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a key mechanism in the formation of biomolecular condensates in cells and provides a versatile framework for structuring soft materials. In food systems, LLPS spans applications from droplet-based compartmentalisation (, microencapsulation by complex coacervates and droplet microreactors) to flow-induced alignment strategies that generate anisotropic textures. This review examines the associative LLPS (coacervate dispersions), and segregative LPPS (aqueous two-phase systems) through the lens of deformation, relaxation and arrest. For coacervates, bulk viscosity is interpreted using deformable-droplet rheology. I then summarise the state of the art in coacervate-derived hydrogel fabrication. For segregative systems, polymer- demixing coupled with shear and controlled arrest enables alignment, string formation, and phase inversion prior to solidification. Across scales from single droplets to bulk flow, physics-based descriptors such as capillary number Ca, viscosity ratio , and Weissenberg number Wi, are linked to image-derived orientation metrics to connect in-flow deformation and droplet arrest to the final structure. The analysis delineates governing mechanisms, processing windows, and limitations that define when LLPS yields an aligned microstructure and fibrous texture under practical conditions.
A study on dopamine-assisted grafting of epoxidized elastomers for enhanced interfacial interaction in silica/ESBR composites.
Chen H, Li H, Wang Z … +4 more , Zhao W, Cao L, Yang W, Lin G
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41914265 · Publisher ↗
In the tire industry, silica has gradually replaced carbon black as a filler. However, the surface of silica contains a large number of hydroxyl groups, leading to poor dispersion in rubber and weak interfacial interacti...
In the tire industry, silica has gradually replaced carbon black as a filler. However, the surface of silica contains a large number of hydroxyl groups, leading to poor dispersion in rubber and weak interfacial interactions with the matrix. Surface grafting modification of silica can effectively improve interfacial bonding performance, but challenges such as difficult grafting and weak interfacial interactions persist. To address these issues, in this study the silica surface was first coated with polydopamine and then grafting modification was performed using epoxidized solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber. In this work, a dual-interface sandwich model with different grafting densities was constructed using molecular dynamics simulations. By analyzing the interfacial interaction energy, mean-square displacement (MSD), diffusion coefficient and mechanical properties, the influence of grafting density on the interfacial performance of emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR) composites was investigated. The results indicate that as the grafting density increases, the interfacial interaction energy and maximum stress first increase and then decrease, while the mean-square displacement and diffusion coefficient decrease. When the grafting density is 0.75 chains per nm, the interfacial binding energy and maximum tensile stress of the rubber composite reach their maximum values. Grafting density optimizes the dispersion of silica and interfacial compatibility by regulating the degree of interfacial mixing and steric hindrance effects. ESBR composites were prepared using wet mixing technology, and performance tests confirmed that the experimental results are consistent with the simulation results. This study provides a novel modification method and theoretical basis for addressing the weak interfacial bonding performance of silica in rubber.
Shape, confinement and inertia effects on the dynamics of a driven spheroid in a viscous fluid.
Bhowmik A, Stratford K, Henrich O … +1 more , Thampi SP
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41913697 · Publisher ↗
The dynamics of anisotropic particles in viscous flows underpin a wide range of processes in soft matter, microfluidics, and targeted drug delivery. Here, we investigate the motion of externally driven prolate and oblate...
The dynamics of anisotropic particles in viscous flows underpin a wide range of processes in soft matter, microfluidics, and targeted drug delivery. Here, we investigate the motion of externally driven prolate and oblate spheroids suspended in a Newtonian fluid and confined within a square microchannel. Using lattice Boltzmann simulations, complemented by far-field hydrodynamic theory based on superposition of wall interactions, we systematically quantify how particle aspect ratio, strength of confinement, and fluid inertia influence the dynamics of a spheroid. For unconfined spheroids, we show that the translational velocity is maximised not for a sphere but for a prolate (end-on) or oblate (broadside-on) spheroid of specific aspect ratio. Under confinement, the optimal aspect ratio shifts toward oblate shapes due to the dominant contribution of wall-induced frictional resistance. Off-centre positioning introduces strong translation-rotation coupling, giving rise to two families of oscillatory trajectories-glancing and reversing-whose existence and structure are captured as closed orbits in the phase space. Weak fluid inertia breaks these closed loops: glancing trajectories spiral outward and merge with reversing trajectories, and new stable fixed points emerge. Together, these results reveal how modest deviations from sphericity or creeping-flow conditions profoundly alter the dynamics of driven particles in confined geometries. The predictions offer guidelines for optimising particle shape in microfluidic transport and highlight the rich nonlinear behaviour accessible in confined suspensions of nonspherical colloids.
Mikto-grafted molecular brushes at liquid crystal-aqueous interfaces.
Toujani C, Herrera I, Ramírez-Hernández A
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41906922 · Publisher ↗
Liquid crystal droplets in water (LCs emulsions) are a promising class of stimuli-responsive materials with potential applications in many areas of science and technology. In this work, dissipative particle dynamics (DPD...
Liquid crystal droplets in water (LCs emulsions) are a promising class of stimuli-responsive materials with potential applications in many areas of science and technology. In this work, dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations were employed to elucidate how the architecture and surface concentration of mikto-grafted bottlebrush surfactants influence the structure and stability of LCs-water interfaces. Planar interface simulations revealed a monotonic decrease in interfacial tension with increasing surfactant concentration and sidechain length, while long backbones suppressed efficient interfacial packing and displayed reduced interfacial activity. LC droplets were also studied; simulations capture the tactoid shape characteristic of bare LC droplets observed experimentally. Simulations predict that, despite architectural differences, mikto-grafted bottlebrush adsorption does not disrupt nematic order in planar or droplet geometries, but can potentially stabilize LC emulsions. The findings reported here aim to help establish design rules for tuning interfacial tension and polymer conformation to develop long-lasting LC emulsions.
Influence of doublets on self-organization and viscoelasticity of model repulsive 2D binary colloids.
Hamid AH, Bécu L, Gonzalez-Rodriguez D … +1 more , Xu H
Eur Phys J E Soft Matter · 2026 Mar · PMID 41896498 · Publisher ↗
We study a two-dimensional binary mixture with different interaction strengths serving as a simplified model inspired by experimental colloidal systems. The investigations are carried out by molecular dynamics simulation...
We study a two-dimensional binary mixture with different interaction strengths serving as a simplified model inspired by experimental colloidal systems. The investigations are carried out by molecular dynamics simulations focusing on self-organization, dynamics, and viscoelasticity. The reference system is composed of spherical colloidal particles interacting with a short-ranged repulsive version of the Lennard-Jones pair potential, the Weeks-Chandler-Andersen (WCA) potential, with the interaction strength ; the second component, referred to as "doublets," interacts via the same potential, but with the interaction strength , while the cross-species interaction has the strength . We focus on the effect of doublets on system properties. To accurately compute the dynamic moduli, we fit the shear-stress autocorrelation function (SACF) to a double Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) stretched (or compressed) exponential function, which provides a satisfactory approximation for both the fluid and solid phases. We perform simulations at fixed pressure, varying the fraction of doublets and the temperature. We observe that the doublets increase the melting temperature, diminish the diffusion of the reference species, and strongly affect the viscoelastic properties. Our results, arising from the competition between stronger pair interactions and the reduced density due to the presence of doublets, can be (partly) interpreted by effective hard disk diameters and associated effective packing fractions. These findings provide clear signatures that may be qualitatively compared to experiments with colloidal suspensions.
Thermotropic liquid crystal droplets stabilized by nanoparticles for the optical detection of phospholipid membranes: impact of membrane composition on LC ordering transitions.
Oñate-Socarras MK, Piñeres-Quiñones OH, Chen LM … +3 more , Palecek SP, Lynn DM, Acevedo-Vélez C
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41891212 · Publisher ↗
We report on the optical responses of nanoparticle-stabilized droplets of thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs) dispersed in water to phospholipid vesicles composed of single or mixed-lipid systems of dilauroyl phosphatidyl...
We report on the optical responses of nanoparticle-stabilized droplets of thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs) dispersed in water to phospholipid vesicles composed of single or mixed-lipid systems of dilauroyl phosphatidylcholine (DLPC), dioleoyl phosphocholine (DOPC), dioleoyl phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), and dioleoyl phosphoglycerol (DOPG). Our findings reveal these LC droplets to undergo bipolar-to-non-bipolar optical transitions upon exposure to vesicles in ways that depend upon phospholipid structure. Specifically, DLPC induced LC transitions at lower concentrations when compared to DOPC, while DOPE and DOPG did not trigger LC responses up to the highest lipid concentrations tested. Moreover, incorporating at least 30% DLPC into DOPC, DOPE, or DOPG vesicles significantly enhanced the sensitivity of stabilized LC droplets to these lipids. Notably, DLPC-containing DOPE and DOPG vesicles triggered LC transitions that were not observed with the corresponding single-component systems. Our findings provide fundamental insight into the behaviors of LC droplet-based systems that combine colloidal stability with sensitive optical responses to contact with model phospholipid vesicles. This work lays a foundation for exploring these nanoparticle-stabilized LC emulsions in contact with more complex lipid membrane mimics to support the design of responsive materials systems that can report the presence of lipid structures of interest in applied contexts, including vesicles, lipid nanoparticles, or mammalian or bacterial cells.
Electric-field-induced switching of circularly polarized luminescence in a multicomponent emissive liquid-crystal system.
Nakano I, Huang S, Suzuki D … +5 more , Kaneko K, Maegawa J, Kawamorita S, Suzuki S, Imai Y
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41889267 · Publisher ↗
Chiral liquid crystals (LCs) are indispensable functional materials for advanced optoelectronic devices. However, their integration with metal-based emitters remains largely unexplored, limiting the understanding of the...
Chiral liquid crystals (LCs) are indispensable functional materials for advanced optoelectronic devices. However, their integration with metal-based emitters remains largely unexplored, limiting the understanding of the influence of external electric fields on different photophysical regimes. In this study, we prepared emissive chiral LC materials by doping two achiral platinum(II) complexes--bis(-isopropyl-5-iminomethyl-1-pyrazolato)platinum(II) and -bis(-methyl-5-iminomethyl-1-pyrazolato)platinum(II)-into a chiral nematic LC host (N* LC) composed of achiral 4'-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile and chiral 2-octyl-4-[4-(hexyloxy)benzoyloxy]benzoate (2OHBB). Although both platinum complexes are intrinsically achiral luminophores, the resulting N* LC materials exhibited pronounced circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). Remarkably, these CPL-active chiral LC systems demonstrated continuous and fully reversible modulation of their CPL characteristics upon application or removal of a direct-current (DC) electric field. In addition to the chiral induction originating from 2OHBB, the handedness of CPL emission could be reversibly switched by toggling the DC field (ON-OFF-ON). This behaviour is attributable to a reversible phase transition between distinct ordered helical structures within the chiral nematic phase. By combining organic platinum emitters and N* LC matrices, this work broadens the design space for CPL control and advances the materials science underpinning electrically switchable CPL devices.
Correction: Cancer cell dynamics navigating the complex microenvironment: active nematics and dynamic heterogeneity.
Reid T, Ramsey C, Jiao Y … +2 more , Liu Y, Sun B
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41885384 · Publisher ↗
Correction for 'Cancer cell dynamics navigating the complex microenvironment: active nematics and dynamic heterogeneity' by Trevor Reid , , 2026, , 1504-1509, https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SM01210D.
Correction for 'Cancer cell dynamics navigating the complex microenvironment: active nematics and dynamic heterogeneity' by Trevor Reid , , 2026, , 1504-1509, https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SM01210D.
Dynamics of an internally actuated weakly elastic sphere in a general quadratic flow.
Verma S, Kizhakke Marath N
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41884986 · Publisher ↗
Internally actuated elastic particles are widely used in biomedical applications. It is imperative to understand the dynamics of such particles in pressure-driven microfluidic devices to manipulate their motion. We analy...
Internally actuated elastic particles are widely used in biomedical applications. It is imperative to understand the dynamics of such particles in pressure-driven microfluidic devices to manipulate their motion. We analytically examine the dynamics of an internally actuated elastic particle translating in a general unbounded quadratic flow in the inertialess limit. We consider the particle as a compressible weakly elastic sphere, and its motion is controlled by applying an external point force and a point torque at the centre of its undeformed shape. The fluid and the particle are modelled using the Stokes and the Navier elasticity equations, respectively. We use the domain perturbation method to capture the particle deformation. The point force and the point torque are obtained until (), assuming ≪ 1. Here, is the measure of the particle elastic strain induced due to the fluid viscous stress. First, we present the results for the particle motion in a general unbounded quadratic flow. The results are simplified further for the motion along the centreline in the quadratic component of three Poiseuille flows: (1) elliptical Poiseuille, (2) plane Poiseuille, and (3) Hagen-Poiseuille flows. In the general quadratic flow, the point force at () is aligned with the particle velocity, while the force at () acts at an angle to the velocity. Furthermore, the torque is non-zero due to elastic effects at () and (). For all the three Poiseuille flows, the point force until () is aligned with the particle velocity, while the torque is zero.
Phase diagrams of conformationally asymmetric pentablock copolymer melts: a theory and simulation study.
Myers T, Park SJ, Jayaraman A
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41879830 · Publisher ↗
Conformational asymmetry, a difference in Kuhn length between two monomers, is known to shift the order-order transition (OOT) boundaries of block copolymer (BCP) melts and stabilize complex morphologies (, Frank-Kasper...
Conformational asymmetry, a difference in Kuhn length between two monomers, is known to shift the order-order transition (OOT) boundaries of block copolymer (BCP) melts and stabilize complex morphologies (, Frank-Kasper phases) with enticing optical and transport properties. In this work, we investigate the influence of conformational asymmetry on the self-assembly of ABABA pentablock copolymers (pentaBCPs) by adopting our previously developed workflow involving self-consistent field theory (SCFT) calculations and coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations aided by the RAPSIDY protocol. For varying conformational asymmetry ratios, CAR ≡ /, where is related to the Kuhn length of each block, SCFT shows shifts in the OOTs as CAR changes. For example, as CAR increases, the stability window widths of the hexagonally closed-packed cylinder and body-centered cubic spherical phases expand. To further understand the effect of CAR on chain conformations, we conduct MD simulations using two CG models - the 'semiflexible' chain model and the 'unequal-bead-diameter' (UBD) model. To vary CAR, in the 'semiflexible' chain model we vary the stiffness of A and B blocks, and in the UBD chain model we vary the A bead diameter with respect to the B bead diameter. The simulated phase behavior is qualitatively similar with both models and agrees to a large extent with the predicted phase diagram from SCFT. The normalized chain end-to-end distance and A-B interface width are consistent between both models and generally insensitive to CAR. However, the normalized lamellae periodicity expands with increasing conformational asymmetry (, as CAR moves away from 1) for the semiflexible chain model, and the opposite is observed with the UBD chain model.
Colloidal transport controlled by surface anchoring in active nematic fluids.
Bo W, Hao Y, Qingyun S … +2 more , Jingru Q, Jianzhong L
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41879626 · Publisher ↗
The spontaneous spatiotemporal chaotic properties of active nematic fluids provide a unique non-equilibrium environment for microscopic transport, yet achieving controllable transport within disordered turbulence remains...
The spontaneous spatiotemporal chaotic properties of active nematic fluids provide a unique non-equilibrium environment for microscopic transport, yet achieving controllable transport within disordered turbulence remains a key challenge. The colloidal transport controlled by surface anchoring in an active nematic fluid is investigated using the method of direct-forcing fictitious domain. The control mechanism of surface anchoring angles ( = 0°-90°) and the active characteristic length () on colloidal transport is revealed. The results showed that although highly active turbulence dominates the decay of the velocity-related length () in the flow ( ∼ , where is the active strength), the anchoring on the colloidal surface regulates the enrichment location, dominant orientation, and fluctuation characteristics of topological defects in the surrounding flow by breaking local rotational symmetry. The phase diagram of the defect-colloid motion indicates that macroscopic colloidal transport fundamentally depends on the competitive interplay between hydrodynamic traction and local elastic repulsion. Among these, the planar anchoring conditions ( 90°) exhibit robust co-directional driving capability that resists highly active turbulent disturbances. The unanchored colloids strictly follow the classical scaling law ∼ (, ∼ , where is the colloidal diffusion coefficient). In contrast, homeotropic anchoring conditions ( 0°) maintain highly efficient long-range oriented migration ( ∼ ) through weak defect interactions. Furthermore, tilted anchoring conditions ( = 30° and 60°) induce strong self-rotation, making colloids susceptible to vortex capture; whereas 90° anchoring tends to trap colloids in a localized oscillatory state characterized by "high kinetic energy and low diffusion" due to the near-field "defect pinning effect." The result indicates that surface anchoring designs enable precise control over colloids, transitioning them from "directed migration" to "topological trapping." This provides crucial theoretical foundations for designing novel microfluidic systems and developing programmable soft matter materials.
Finite size scaling of spinodal suppression in confined blends of strongly segregating polymers.
Mahawar P, Pandya P, Chandran S
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41878987 · Publisher ↗
We report confinement-controlled scaling relations governing the phase behavior of strongly segregating polystyrene (PS)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) blends in thin films. Below a critical thickness , lateral phase separa...
We report confinement-controlled scaling relations governing the phase behavior of strongly segregating polystyrene (PS)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) blends in thin films. Below a critical thickness , lateral phase separation is completely suppressed, suggesting a transition from in-plane spinodal decomposition to vertical segregation. Systematic experiments reveal an unexpected chain length () dependence of the critical thickness, ∼ . To rationalize this behavior, we incorporate the adsorbing surface fields, finite thickness, and quantization of concentration fluctuation modes along the confining direction into the Cahn-Hilliard framework. The model suggests that the adsorption-induced renormalization of the lateral square-gradient stiffness of the PS-PDMS interface may underlie the intriguing chain length dependence of . A direct consequence of the finite film thickness is a shift in the spinodal fraction, following Δ ∼ . Experiments, spanning different and different initial fractions of PDMS , confirm the finite-size scaling for all thicknesses larger than the unperturbed molecular dimensions of the PS matrix. Together, these results establish confinement-controlled scaling laws for the phase behavior of strongly segregating mixtures.
Steady rotation and wall-mediated dynamics of magnetic Janus particles in oscillating fields.
Raghu A, Bishop KJM, Bharti B
Soft Matter · 2026 May · PMID 41878909 · Publisher ↗
Active colloids are synthetic particles inspired by the self-propulsion and adaptability of microorganisms. These particles hold promise to perform intelligent microscale tasks, yet their behavior near boundaries and sub...
Active colloids are synthetic particles inspired by the self-propulsion and adaptability of microorganisms. These particles hold promise to perform intelligent microscale tasks, yet their behavior near boundaries and substrates remains poorly understood. Here we identify how the particle-substrate separation, and applied field frequency dictate the dynamics of magnetic Janus microparticles actuated by an oscillating magnetic field. First, we show that the continuous rotation of the non-inertial Janus particle arises from the coupling between its permanently aligned and field-induced magnetic moments. Second, by varying the particle's height above the substrate, we identify distinct motion regimes, namely, rolling, hybrid, and rotational, where each is defined by characteristic changes in the in-plane rotation, translational dynamics, and trajectory. We reveal the emergence of quasi-steady states at intermediate heights and dynamic in- and out-of-plane rotations that give rise to field frequency-dependent linear and alternating arcs and loops trochoidal trajectories. The insights gained here provide a framework for designing surface microrollers with programmable kinematics driven by time-varying magnetic fields.
Decoupling the structural origins of strength and toughness in industrially relevant heterogeneous elastomers.
Ishikura Y, Uehara E, Higuchi Y
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41878884 · Publisher ↗
Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics, we investigate the structure-property relationships for industrially relevant heterogeneous elastomer networks formed by random crosslinking. Our simulations reveal a clear decoup...
Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics, we investigate the structure-property relationships for industrially relevant heterogeneous elastomer networks formed by random crosslinking. Our simulations reveal a clear decoupling of mechanical properties: strength and elongation are governed by the network's cycle rank (a measure of global topology), while toughness (fracture energy) is governed by the effective chain ratio and strand length uniformity. Notably, network uniformity, which is critical for toughness, is enhanced by using wider reactive site spacing and lower-functionality crosslinkers. This insight provides a rational design guideline to overcome the common strength-toughness trade-off by independently tuning molecular parameters to optimize distinct mechanical properties in these complex yet industrially vital materials.
The hidden wheel-within.
Ziebert F, Kulić IM
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41874525 · Publisher ↗
There is this old, eternal question: Why don't animals have wheels? In this perspective, we show that they actually do, and they do so in a physically extraordinary way - by combining incompatible elasticity, differentia...
There is this old, eternal question: Why don't animals have wheels? In this perspective, we show that they actually do, and they do so in a physically extraordinary way - by combining incompatible elasticity, differential geometry and dissipative self-organization. Nature's wheel - the "wheel-within" - has been mysteriously concealed in plain sight, yet it spins in virtually every slender-body organism: in falling cats, crocodilians spinning to subdue their prey, rolling fruit-fly larvae, circumnutating plants and even in some of our own body movements. Flying somehow under the radar of our cognition, in recent years, the wheel-within also tacitly entered the field of soft robotics, finally opening our eyes to its ubiquitous role in Nature. We here identify its underlying physical ingredients, namely the existence of a neutrally stable, shape-invariant and actively driven elastic mode. We then reflect on various man-made realizations of the wheel-within and outline where it could be spinning from here.
Viscosity reduction of HPAM solutions induced by silica nanoparticle additives.
Zhang M, Lu X, Wang M
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41869838 · Publisher ↗
We discuss a plausible interpretation in which electrostatic interactions govern how nanoparticles influence the conformation of polyelectrolyte chains, in contrast to the more commonly assumed mechanisms dominated by hy...
We discuss a plausible interpretation in which electrostatic interactions govern how nanoparticles influence the conformation of polyelectrolyte chains, in contrast to the more commonly assumed mechanisms dominated by hydrogen bonding or adsorption. Based on these considerations, we propose a phenomenological model in which changes in the relative distribution of nanoparticles with respect to polymer chains serve as a microscopic origin of the viscosity variation. The model captures the observed non-monotonic rheological trends and provides a semi-quantitative description of the crossover as the polymer concentration varies. These findings highlight the role of electrostatic interactions in the rheology of HPAM-silica nanoparticle mixtures and offer guidance for tuning viscosity within this specific polyelectrolyte-nanoparticle system.
Establishing direct relationships between soft material perception and rheology.
Burgeson EM, Martin JD, Jogan M … +1 more , Rogers SA
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41854630 · Publisher ↗
In soft materials, a clear relationship between material properties and human sensory perception has long been desired for design of consumer products, but the link has remained evasive. Favorable perception indicates th...
In soft materials, a clear relationship between material properties and human sensory perception has long been desired for design of consumer products, but the link has remained evasive. Favorable perception indicates that customers enjoy a product and are likely to continue using it or purchase it again. Perception is frequently measured subjectively by consumer test panels in terms of descriptive sensory words such as softness, smoothness, thickness, that lack established scientific definitions. In this work, we move beyond ambiguous definitions and detail a method to objectively measure and quantify human-material interactions using a representative series of viscoelastic putties. We show that human behaviors have direct rheological meaning with features that are characterized using transient recovery rheology. The rheology scales logarithmically at perception-relevant timescales, akin to Fechner's law. Our work explains variability in user-reported perception and demonstrates a way to construct direct relationships between user behavior and measurable rheology.
Structural and dynamic characterisation of charged microemulsions grafted with telechelic polymers at high dilution.
Elhajjam R, Khatouri M, Ahfir R … +5 more , Talha L, Basbassi Z, Arbia A, El Khaoui S, Filali M
Eur Phys J E Soft Matter · 2026 Mar · PMID 41851409 · Publisher ↗
Microemulsions are widely studied model colloidal systems due to their well-defined structure and tunable interactions. In this work, we investigate the structural and dynamic properties of a mixed system composed of mic...
Microemulsions are widely studied model colloidal systems due to their well-defined structure and tunable interactions. In this work, we investigate the structural and dynamic properties of a mixed system composed of microemulsion droplets grafted with a steric telechelic polymer, polyethylene oxide-C H (PEO-m), at a low volume fraction ( ). The microemulsions studied are direct (oil-in-water) microemulsions, stabilised by cetylpyridinium chloride (CpCl) as the surfactant and octanol as the co-surfactant. The interaction potential of this system is modelled using the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) framework, which combines a hard sphere potential, a van der Waals potential, and a Coulomb potential. Three complementary approaches are employed: small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments, Ornstein-Zernike integral equations with the hypernetted chain (HNC) closure, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. SANS results show that the microemulsion droplets exhibit a spherical shape with an average radius and a polydispersity and that this morphology remains unchanged as long as the number of grafted polymers does not exceed . However, for , both the average radius and the polydispersity decrease to and . These results also indicate that the addition of PEO-m strengthens the repulsive interactions between droplets, thereby confirming that this polymer effectively stabilises the microemulsions. The Ornstein-Zernike integral equation with the HNC closure is used to determine the parameters of the potential describing the interactions between droplets. These parameters are subsequently introduced into MD simulations to assess the dynamic properties of the system. The results show that the addition of PEO-m reduces droplet mobility, while the diffusion behaviour remains normal.
Spreading and absorption of silicone oil droplets on silicone elastomer films.
Dutcher L, Baylis B, Dutcher JR … +2 more , Raphaël É, Dalnoki-Veress K
Eur Phys J E Soft Matter · 2026 Mar · PMID 41851394 · Full text
When a liquid droplet completely wets a hard substrate, its spreading dynamics follow Tanner's law, with the droplet radius growing as the one-tenth power of time. Here, we investigate how these dynamics change when sili...
When a liquid droplet completely wets a hard substrate, its spreading dynamics follow Tanner's law, with the droplet radius growing as the one-tenth power of time. Here, we investigate how these dynamics change when silicone oil droplets spread on soft silicone elastomer and gel films supported by a rigid silicon substrate. While the droplets fully wet the elastomer surface, they also simultaneously swell the elastomer film. By varying the film thickness, we observe deviations from the classical power-law scaling, which we interpret in terms of changes to the effective stiffness and the absorption potential of the system. We describe the spreading behavior using a phenomenological model that accounts for both absorption and mechanical contributions..
Nonequilibrium phases of a biomolecular condensate facilitated by enzyme activity.
Coupe S, Fakhri N
Soft Matter · 2026 Apr · PMID 41850298 · Full text
Biomolecular condensates represent a frontier in cellular organization, existing as dynamic macromolecular structures driven out of equilibrium by active cellular processes. Here we explore active mechanisms of condensat...
Biomolecular condensates represent a frontier in cellular organization, existing as dynamic macromolecular structures driven out of equilibrium by active cellular processes. Here we explore active mechanisms of condensate regulation by examining the interplay between DEAD-box helicase activity and RNA base-pairing interactions within a reconstituted ribonucleoprotein condensate. We demonstrate that the ATP-dependent activity of a DEAD-box helicase-a key class of enzymes in condensate regulation-acts as a nonequilibrium driver of condensate properties through the continuous remodeling of RNA interactions. By combining the LAF-1 DEAD-box helicase with a designer RNA hairpin concatemer, we unveil a complex landscape of dynamic behaviors, including time-dependent alterations in RNA partitioning, evolving condensate morphologies, and shifting condensate dynamics. Importantly, we reveal an antagonistic relationship between RNA secondary structure and helicase activity which enables an initially homogeneous nonequilibrium state. By elucidating these nonequilibrium mechanisms, we gain a deeper understanding of cellular organization and expand the potential for active synthetic condensate systems.
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