scholarly journals A dynamically reprogrammable metasurface with self-evolving shape morphing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyue Ni ◽  
Yun Bai ◽  
Heling Wang ◽  
Yeguang Xue ◽  
Yuxin Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flexible Electronics ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Soft Materials ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Shape Morphing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Data Driven Approach ◽  
Actuation Scheme

Abstract Dynamic shape-morphing soft materials systems are ubiquitous in living organisms; they are also of rapidly increasing relevance to emerging technologies in soft machines1–4, flexible electronics5–7, and smart medicines8,9. Soft matter equipped with responsive components can switch between designed shapes or structures, but cannot support the types of dynamic morphing capabilities needed to reproduce natural, continuous processes of interest for many applications10–27. Challenges lie in the development of schemes to reprogram target shapes post fabrication, especially when complexities associated with the operating physics and disturbances from the environment can prohibit the use of deterministic theoretical models to guide inverse design and control strategies3,28–32. Here, we present a mechanical metasurface constructed from a matrix of filamentary metal traces, driven by reprogrammable, distributed Lorentz forces that follow from passage of electrical currents in the presence of a static magnetic field. The resulting system demonstrates complex, dynamic morphing capabilities with response times within 0.1 s. Implementing an in-situ stereo-imaging feedback strategy with a digitally controlled actuation scheme guided by an optimization algorithm, yields surfaces that can self-evolve into a wide range of 3-dimensional (3D) target shapes with high precision, including an ability to morph against extrinsic or intrinsic perturbations. These concepts support a data-driven approach to the design of dynamic, soft matter, with many unique characteristics.

scholarly journals Tracking the time evolution of soft matter systems via topological structural heterogeneity

2022 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Membrillo Solis ◽  
Tetiana Orlova ◽  
Karolina Bednarska ◽  
Piotr Lesiak ◽  
Tomasz R. Woliński ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Evolution ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Persistent Homology ◽  
Soft Materials ◽  
Structural Heterogeneity ◽  
Dynamical Behaviour ◽  
Topological Data Analysis ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractPersistent homology is an effective topological data analysis tool to quantify the structural and morphological features of soft materials, but so far it has not been used to characterise the dynamical behaviour of complex soft matter systems. Here, we introduce structural heterogeneity, a topological characteristic for semi-ordered materials that captures their degree of organisation at a mesoscopic level and tracks their time-evolution, ultimately detecting the order-disorder transition at the microscopic scale. We show that structural heterogeneity tracks structural changes in a liquid crystal nanocomposite, reveals the effect of confined geometry on the nematic-isotropic and isotropic-nematic phase transitions, and uncovers physical differences between these two processes. The system used in this work is representative of a class of composite nanomaterials, partially ordered and with complex structural and physical behaviour, where their precise characterisation poses significant challenges. Our developed analytic framework can provide both a qualitative and quantitative characterisation of the dynamical behaviour of a wide range of semi-ordered soft matter systems.

scholarly journals Synchrotron X-ray Scattering techniques for soft matter industrial research and development

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (a1) ◽  
pp. C1329-C1329
Author(s):  
Michael Sztucki ◽  
Manfred Burghammer ◽  
Oleg Konovalov ◽  
Edward Mitchell ◽  
Theyencheri Narayanan
Keyword(s):  
Soft Matter ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Soft Materials ◽  
Real Space ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Scattering ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Ray Scattering

Consumer products based on soft matter technology often exhibit macroscopic properties which are strongly dependent on their micro- and nano-structures extending over multiple size scales. Synchrotron scattering techniques are ideally suited for probing these multilevel structures and deliver complementary and in some cases unique information as compared to real space methods like confocal microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy or atomic force microscopy. The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) is a world-leading synchrotron light source which operates several state-of-the-art instruments for the investigation of soft materials and offers expertise to academic and industrial users. Fast and flexible access for proprietary experiments with a modular, fine-tuned service is guaranteed. A range of dedicated sample environments which mimic industrial processing conditions are available. This presentation will illustrate the state-of-the-art performance of the following synchrotron scattering techniques by recent examples of industrial relevance. Simultaneous small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) is a powerful method to determine the microstructure and phase behavior of multi-component systems like detergents, food products, pharmaceutical components, polymer composites, etc. The high photon flux translates to high throughput measurements, while the high degree of collimation and resolution permit to elucidate a wide range of length scales from a few Angstroms up to micron scale. Scanning microbeam SAXS/WAXS and single micro-crystal/fiber diffraction (µXRD) allows elucidating the local nanostructure of very small objects like micro-specimens of composite organic/inorganic materials, teeth, bones, micromechanical parts, polymer fibers, micro fluidics, etc. with micro/nanometric real space resolution. X-ray reflectivity (XR) and grazing incidence diffraction/scattering (GID /GISAXS) can reveal the nanoscale structure and complexity of nano-structured complex fluids at interfaces, organic films, biological membranes, etc.

scholarly journals Eco-friendly and biodegradable cellulose hydrogels produced from low cost okara: towards non-toxic flexible electronics

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Cui ◽  
Jaslyn J. L. Lee ◽  
Wei Ning Chen
Keyword(s):  
Flexible Electronics ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Soft Materials ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Nih3t3 Cells ◽  
Medical Supplies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Resource Shortage

AbstractWith increasing resource shortage and environmental pollution, it is preferable to utilize materials which are sustainable and biodegradable. Side-streams products generated from the food processing industry is one potential avenue that can be used in a wide range of applications. In this study, the food by-product okara was effectively reused for the extraction of cellulose. Then, the okara cellulose was further employed to fabricate cellulose hydrogels with favorable mechanical properties, biodegrablability, and non-cytotoxicity. The results showed that it could be biodegraded in soil within 28 days, and showed no cytotoxicity on NIH3T3 cells. As a proof of concept, a demostration of wearable and biocompatible strain sensor was achieved, which allowed a good and stable detection of human body movement behaviors. The okara-based hydrogels could provide an alternative platform for further physical and/or chemical modification towards tissue engineering, medical supplies, or smart biomimetic soft materials.

scholarly journals Mechanical Spectroscopy: Some Applications On Structural Changes And Relaxation Dynamics In Soft Matter

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 2077-2084
Author(s):  
Xuebang Wu ◽  
Changsong Liu
Keyword(s):  
Soft Matter ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Soft Materials ◽  
Large Temperature ◽  
Relaxation Dynamics ◽  
Mechanical Spectroscopy ◽  
Frequency Scale ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract The general trend in soft matter is to study systems of increasing complexity covering a wide range in time and frequency. Mechanical spectroscopy is a powerful tool for understanding the structure and relaxation dynamics of these materials over a large temperature range and frequency scale. In this work, we collect a few recent applications using low-frequency mechanical spectroscopy for elucidating the structural changes and relaxation dynamics in soft matter, largely based on the author’s group. We illustrate the potential of mechanical spectroscopy with three kinds of soft materials: colloids, polymers and granular systems. Examples include structural changes in colloids, segmental relaxations in amorphous polymers, and resonant dissipation of grain chains in three-dimensional media. The present work shows that mechanical spectroscopy has been applied as a necessary and complementary tool to study the dynamics of such complex systems.

scholarly journals Topics in the mathematical design of materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 379 (2201) ◽  
pp. 20200108
Author(s):  
Xian Chen ◽  
Irene Fonseca ◽  
Miha Ravnik ◽  
Valeriy Slastikov ◽  
Claudio Zannoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soft Matter ◽  
Soft Materials ◽  
Complex Materials ◽  
Central Importance ◽  
Open Problems ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Shape Morphing ◽  
Mathematical Problems ◽  
Mathematical Design

We present a perspective on several current research directions relevant to the mathematical design of new materials. We discuss: (i) design problems for phase-transforming and shape-morphing materials, (ii) epitaxy as an approach of central importance in the design of advanced semiconductor materials, (iii) selected design problems in soft matter, (iv) mathematical problems in magnetic materials, (v) some open problems in liquid crystals and soft materials and (vi) mathematical problems on liquid crystal colloids. The presentation combines topics from soft and hard condensed matter, with specific focus on those design themes where mathematical approaches could possibly lead to exciting progress. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Topics in mathematical design of complex materials’.

Plasma surface engineering for manmade soft materials: A review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Hegemann ◽  
Sandra Gaiser
Keyword(s):  
Soft Matter ◽  
Surface Engineering ◽  
Aqueous Media ◽  
Dissimilar Materials ◽  
Surface Region ◽  
Soft Materials ◽  
Plasma Source ◽  
Plasma Surface ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Applications

Abstract Manmade soft materials are important in a wide range of technological applications and play a key role in the development of future technologies, mainly at the interface of synthetic and biological components. They include gels and hydrogels, elastomers, structural and packaging materials, micro and nanoparticles as well as biological materials. Soft materials can be distinguished from liquids owing to their defined shape and from hard materials by the deformability of their shape. This review article provides an overview of recent progress on the plasma engineering and processing of softer materials, especially in the area of synthesis, surface modification, etching, and deposition. The article aims to demonstrate the extensive range of plasma surface engineering as used to form, modify, and coat soft materials focusing on material properties and potential applications. In general, the plasma provides highly energetic, non-equilibrium conditions at material surfaces requiring to adjust the conditions for plasma-surface interaction to account for the specifics of soft matter, which holds independent of the used plasma source. Plasma-induced crosslinking and polymerization of liquids is discussed to transform them into gel-like materials as well as to modify the surface region of viscous liquids. A major field covers the plasma surface engineering of manmade soft materials with the help of gaseous reactive species yielding ablation, nanostructuring, functionalization, crosslinking, stiffening, and/or deposition to obtain demanded surface properties or adhesion to dissimilar materials. Finally, plasma engineering of rigid materials is considered to induce surface softening for the enhanced contact with tissues, to allow interaction in aqueous media, and to support bonding to soft matter. The potential and future perspectives of plasma engineering will be discussed in this review to contribute to a higher knowledge of plasma interaction with sensitive materials such as soft matter.

scholarly journals Marine Organisms for the Sustainable Management of Plant Parasitic Nematodes

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 369
Author(s):  
Pasqua Veronico ◽  
Maria Teresa Melillo
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Marine Organisms ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Plant Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Plant Growth Stimulants ◽  
Plant Parasitic

Plant parasitic nematodes are annually responsible for the loss of 10%–25% of worldwide crop production, most of which is attributable to root-knot nematodes (RKNs) that infest a wide range of agricultural crops throughout the world. Current nematode control tools are not enough to ensure the effective management of these parasites, mainly due to the severe restrictions imposed on the use of chemical pesticides. Therefore, it is important to discover new potential nematicidal sources that are suitable for the development of additional safe and effective control strategies. In the last few decades, there has been an explosion of information about the use of seaweeds as plant growth stimulants and potential nematicides. Novel bioactive compounds have been isolated from marine cyanobacteria and sponges in an effort to find their application outside marine ecosystems and in the discovery of new drugs. Their potential as antihelmintics could also be exploited to find applicability against plant parasitic nematodes. The present review focuses on the activity of marine organisms on RKNs and their potential application as safe nematicidal agents.

The Impact of Mental States on Semi-autonomous Driving Takeover Performance: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1372-1376
Author(s):  
Gaojian Huang ◽  
Christine Petersen ◽  
Brandon J. Pitts
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Autonomous Driving ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Manual Control ◽  
Monitoring Systems ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Impact

Semi-autonomous vehicles still require drivers to occasionally resume manual control. However, drivers of these vehicles may have different mental states. For example, drivers may be engaged in non-driving related tasks or may exhibit mind wandering behavior. Also, monitoring monotonous driving environments can result in passive fatigue. Given the potential for different types of mental states to negatively affect takeover performance, it will be critical to highlight how mental states affect semi-autonomous takeover. A systematic review was conducted to synthesize the literature on mental states (such as distraction, fatigue, emotion) and takeover performance. This review focuses specifically on five fatigue studies. Overall, studies were too few to observe consistent findings, but some suggest that response times to takeover alerts and post-takeover performance may be affected by fatigue. Ultimately, this review may help researchers improve and develop real-time mental states monitoring systems for a wide range of application domains.

scholarly journals Wolbachia: endosymbiont of onchocercid nematodes and their vectors

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranju Ravindran Santhakumari Manoj ◽  
Maria Stefania Latrofa ◽  
Sara Epis ◽  
Domenico Otranto
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Veterinary Importance ◽  
Wolbachia Endosymbiont ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular maternally transmitted, gram-negative bacterium which forms a spectrum of endosymbiotic relationships from parasitism to obligatory mutualism in a wide range of arthropods and onchocercid nematodes, respectively. In arthropods Wolbachia produces reproductive manipulations such as male killing, feminization, parthenogenesis and cytoplasmic incompatibility for its propagation and provides an additional fitness benefit for the host to protect against pathogens, whilst in onchocercid nematodes, apart from the mutual metabolic dependence, this bacterium is involved in moulting, embryogenesis, growth and survival of the host. Methods This review details the molecular data of Wolbachia and its effect on host biology, immunity, ecology and evolution, reproduction, endosymbiont-based treatment and control strategies exploited for filariasis. Relevant peer-reviewed scientic papers available in various authenticated scientific data bases were considered while writing the review. Conclusions The information presented provides an overview on Wolbachia biology and its use in the control and/or treatment of vectors, onchocercid nematodes and viral diseases of medical and veterinary importance. This offers the development of new approaches for the control of a variety of vector-borne diseases. Graphic Abstract

scholarly journals Reactivity and Chemical Sintering of Carey Lea Silver Nanoparticles

Nanomaterials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1525
Author(s):  
Sergey Vorobyev ◽  
Elena Vishnyakova ◽  
Maxim Likhatski ◽  
Alexander Romanchenko ◽  
Ivan Nemtsev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Flexible Electronics ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Colloidal Solutions ◽  
Ag Nps ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Carboxylic Groups ◽  
The Media ◽  
Sulfide Ions

Carey Lea silver hydrosol is a rare example of very concentrated colloidal solutions produced with citrate as only protective ligands, and prospective for a wide range of applications, whose properties have been insufficiently studied up to now. Herein, the reactivity of the immobilized silver nanoparticles toward oxidation, sulfidation, and sintering upon their interaction with hydrogen peroxide, sulfide ions, and chlorocomplexes of Au(III), Pd(II), and Pt(IV) was investigated using SEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The reactions decreased the number of carboxylic groups of the citrate-derived capping and promoted coalescence of 7 nm Ag NPs into about 40 nm ones, excluding the interaction with hydrogen peroxide. The increased nanoparticles form loose submicrometer aggregates in the case of sulfide treatment, raspberry-like micrometer porous particles in the media containing Pd(II) chloride, and densely sintered particles in the reaction with inert H2PtCl6 complexes, probably via the formation of surface Ag-Pt alloys. The exposure of Ag NPs to HAuCl4 solution produced compact Ag films along with nanocrystals of Au metal and minor Ag and AgCl. The results are promising for chemical ambient temperature sintering and rendering silver-based nanomaterials, for example, for flexible electronics, catalysis, and other applications.

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