51
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Chiappini M, Dussi S, Frka-Petesic B, Vignolini S, Dijkstra M. Modeling the cholesteric pitch of apolar cellulose nanocrystal suspensions using a chiral hard-bundle model. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:014904. [PMID: 34998357 DOI: 10.1063/5.0076123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are naturally sourced elongated nanocolloids that form cholesteric phases in water and apolar solvents. It is well accepted that CNCs are made of bundles of crystalline microfibrils clustered side-by-side, and there is growing evidence that each individual microfibril is twisted. Yet, the origin of the chiral interactions between CNCs remains unclear. In this work, CNCs are described with a simple model of chiral hard splinters, enabling the prediction of the pitch using density functional theory and Monte Carlo simulations. The predicted pitch P compares well with experimental observations in cotton-based CNC dispersions in apolar solvents using surfactants but also with qualitative trends caused by fractionation or tip sonication in aqueous suspensions. These results suggest that the bundle shape induces an entropy-driven chiral interaction between CNCs, which is the missing link in explaining how chirality is transferred from the molecular scale of cellulose chains to the cholesteric order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Chiappini
- Soft Condensed Matter, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Simone Dussi
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Marjolein Dijkstra
- Soft Condensed Matter, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands
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52
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Yevdokimov YM, Skuridin SG, Salyanov VI, Kats EI. Observations of three "re-entrant" twisted structures in double-stranded DNA dispersion particles. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL : EBJ 2022; 51:85-94. [PMID: 34839370 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-021-01578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this work we report on observations of new twisted (cholesteric-like) structures in liquid-crystalline dispersion particles with a hexagonal packing of double-stranded (ds) DNA molecules. Heating up to 80 °C of the DNA dispersion formed in a aqueous-salt solution with a high osmotic pressure (concentration) of poly(ethylene glycol) induces the formation of a new, optically active, spirally twisted structure of these molecules ("re-entrant" cholesteric structure (rest-A structure)). Cooling of this dispersion up to 22 °C is accompanied by the formation of an additional "re-entrant" cholesteric structure (rest-B). Modification of particles of the ds DNA dispersion (with rest-B structure) by replacing Na+ cations by multi-charged Gd3+ cations results in the third " re-entrant" structure (rest-C) despite a high density packing of ds nucleic acid molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri M Yevdokimov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova st. 32, Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - Sergey G Skuridin
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova st. 32, Moscow, Russia, 119991.
| | - Viktor I Salyanov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova st. 32, Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - Efim I Kats
- Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, academician Semenov ave. 1-A, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia, 142432
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53
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Abstract
Smart soft materials are envisioned to be the building blocks of the next generation of advanced devices and digitally augmented technologies. In this context, liquid crystals (LCs) owing to their responsive and adaptive attributes could serve as promising smart soft materials. LCs played a critical role in revolutionizing the information display industry in the 20th century. However, in the turn of the 21st century, numerous beyond-display applications of LCs have been demonstrated, which elegantly exploit their controllable stimuli-responsive and adaptive characteristics. For these applications, new LC materials have been rationally designed and developed. In this Review, we present the recent developments in light driven chiral LCs, i.e., cholesteric and blue phases, LC based smart windows that control the entrance of heat and light from outdoor to the interior of buildings and built environments depending on the weather conditions, LC elastomers for bioinspired, biological, and actuator applications, LC based biosensors for detection of proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses, LC based porous membranes for the separation of ions, molecules, and microbes, living LCs, and LCs under macro- and nanoscopic confinement. The Review concludes with a summary and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for LCs as smart soft materials. This Review is anticipated to stimulate eclectic ideas toward the implementation of the nature's delicate phase of matter in future generations of smart and augmented devices and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States.,Institute of Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Jiangsu Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
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54
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Sakai Y, Kusaki H, Katayama K. Photocontrollable Crystallization at the Topological Defect of a Liquid Crystalline Droplet. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:35050-35056. [PMID: 34963986 PMCID: PMC8697613 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Photocontrollable crystallization at topological defects in a liquid crystal (LC) droplet was demonstrated. The molecules dissolved in a surfactant solution outside the LC droplet were moved into the droplet via light absorption. Nuclei emerged tens of seconds after light irradiation and moved toward the topological defect located at the droplet center, thus forming a branch-shaped crystal. This phenomenon was reproduced for multiple different molecules; photoinduced migration, nucleation, and crystal formation were discussed as a plausible mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yota Sakai
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Hinako Kusaki
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Kenji Katayama
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
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55
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Shen Y, Wang Y, Hamley IW, Qi W, Su R, He Z. Chiral self-assembly of peptides: Toward the design of supramolecular polymers with enhanced chemical and biological functions. Prog Polym Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2021.101469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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56
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Tardy BL, Mattos BD, Otoni CG, Beaumont M, Majoinen J, Kämäräinen T, Rojas OJ. Deconstruction and Reassembly of Renewable Polymers and Biocolloids into Next Generation Structured Materials. Chem Rev 2021; 121:14088-14188. [PMID: 34415732 PMCID: PMC8630709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This review considers the most recent developments in supramolecular and supraparticle structures obtained from natural, renewable biopolymers as well as their disassembly and reassembly into engineered materials. We introduce the main interactions that control bottom-up synthesis and top-down design at different length scales, highlighting the promise of natural biopolymers and associated building blocks. The latter have become main actors in the recent surge of the scientific and patent literature related to the subject. Such developments make prominent use of multicomponent and hierarchical polymeric assemblies and structures that contain polysaccharides (cellulose, chitin, and others), polyphenols (lignins, tannins), and proteins (soy, whey, silk, and other proteins). We offer a comprehensive discussion about the interactions that exist in their native architectures (including multicomponent and composite forms), the chemical modification of polysaccharides and their deconstruction into high axial aspect nanofibers and nanorods. We reflect on the availability and suitability of the latter types of building blocks to enable superstructures and colloidal associations. As far as processing, we describe the most relevant transitions, from the solution to the gel state and the routes that can be used to arrive to consolidated materials with prescribed properties. We highlight the implementation of supramolecular and superstructures in different technological fields that exploit the synergies exhibited by renewable polymers and biocolloids integrated in structured materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaise L. Tardy
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Bruno D. Mattos
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Caio G. Otoni
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
- Department
of Materials Engineering, Federal University
of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luís, km 235, São
Carlos, São Paulo 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Marco Beaumont
- School
of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University
of Technology, 2 George
Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
- Department
of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, A-3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Johanna Majoinen
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Tero Kämäräinen
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Orlando J. Rojas
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry and Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
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57
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Zhan Y, Deng B, Wu H, Xu C, Wang R, Li W, Pan Z. Biomineralized Composite Liquid Crystal Fiber Scaffold Promotes Bone Regeneration by Enhancement of Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:736301. [PMID: 34819856 PMCID: PMC8606401 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.736301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) are appealing biomaterials for applications in bone regenerative medicine due to their tunable physical properties and anisotropic viscoelastic behavior. This study reports a novel composite poly (L-lactide) (PLLA) scaffold that is manufactured by a simple electrospinning and biomineralization technique that precisely controls the fibrous structure in liquid LC phase. The enriched-LC composites have superior mineralization ability than neat PLLA; furthermore BMSC cells were inoculated onto the HAP-PLLA/LC with hydroxyapatite (HAP) composite scaffold to test the capability for osteogenesis in vitro. The results show that the PLLA/LC with HAP produced by mineralization leads to better cell compatibility, which is beneficial to cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and expression of the angiogenic CD31 gene. Moreover, in vivo studies showed that the HAP-PLLA/LC scaffold with a bone-like environment significantly accelerates new and mature lamellar bone formation by development of a microenvironment for vascularized bone regeneration. Thus, this bionic composite scaffold in an LC state combining osteogenesis with vascularized activities is a promising biomaterial for bone regeneration in defective areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Bing Deng
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Huixian Wu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Changpeng Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruiying Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Wenqiang Li
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Sports Assistive Devices of Guangdong, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhixiong Pan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research in Sphingolipid Metabolism Related Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
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58
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Effect of A Limited Amount of D-Sorbitol on Pitch and Mechanical Properties of Cellulose Nanocrystal Films. CRYSTALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst11111324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspension can form liquid crystal films with unique self-assembly behaviors. This gives CNC films a special iridescence, which has potential in many aspects, but the brittleness of pure CNC films limits their application. In this work, we propose a simple physical mixing method to obtain CNC film by adding D-sorbitol as a plasticizer. We first found that low D-sorbitol content (less than 6 wt% in CNC/DS composite solution) did not make a significant difference compared with pure CNC films in optical performance and, at the same time, the mechanical properties of the CNC films were improved. The various low contents of D-sorbitol can be well dispersed in CNC aqueous suspension, and the wavelength of the selectively reflected phenomenon is relatively stable and slightly decreased at 5 nm for concentrations from 0 to 6%. This phenomenon is opposite to that generally reported, where the wavelength of the selective reflected phenomenon increases obviously with the increase in plastic content. The pitch of the chiral structure decreased from 406 to 362 nm with an increase in D-sorbitol concentration. When the content of D-sorbitol reached 4%, the tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young modulus increased to 39.9 Mpa, 3.00%, and 2.99 GPa, respectively.
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59
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Physics of liquid crystals in cell biology. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 32:140-150. [PMID: 34756501 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed a rapid growth in understanding of the pivotal roles of mechanical stresses and physical forces in cell biology. As a result, an integrated view of cell biology is evolving, where genetic and molecular features are scrutinised hand in hand with physical and mechanical characteristics of cells. Physics of liquid crystals has emerged as a burgeoning new frontier in cell biology over the past few years, fuelled by an increasing identification of orientational order and topological defects in cell biology, spanning scales from subcellular filaments to individual cells and multicellular tissues. Here, we provide an account of the most recent findings and developments, together with future promises and challenges in this rapidly evolving interdisciplinary research direction.
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60
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Abstract
A bio-photonic cavity quantum electrodynamic (C-QED) framework could be imagined as a system in which both the “cavity” and the “atom” participating in the light-matter interaction scenario are bio-inspired. Can a cavity be made of a bio-polymer? If so, how should such a cavity appear and what are the best polymers to fabricate it? Can a bioluminescent material stand the comparison with new-fashion semiconductors? In this review we answer these fundamental questions to pave the way toward an eco-friendly paradigm, in which the ever-increasing demand for more performing quantum photonics technologies meets the ever-increasing yet silent demand of our planet to reduce our environmental footprint.
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61
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Ultrathin, transparent, thermally-insulated, and energy-efficient flexible window using coatable chiral-nematic liquid crystal polymer. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.116804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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62
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Sato N, Katayama K. Analysis of Molecular Disordering Processes in the Phase Transition of Liquid Crystals Observed by Patterned-Illumination Time-Resolved Phase Microscopy. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14195491. [PMID: 34639889 PMCID: PMC8509586 DOI: 10.3390/ma14195491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The initial processes of the phase transition dynamics of liquid crystals (LCs) subject to UV pulse irradiation were clarified using a nanosecond time-resolved imaging technique called pattern-illumination time-resolved phase microscopy (PI-PM). Two types of LCs were studied: a photo-responsive LC and dye-doped LCs. We found two steps of molecular disordering processes in the phase transition, namely local disordering proceeding anisotropically, followed by the spreading of the isotropic phase. These two processes were separated for a photo-responsive LC while being simultaneously observed for the dye-doped LCs. It was found that the photomechanical dyes induced the phase transition process faster than the photothermal dyes.
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63
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Morozov VN, Klimovich MA, Kolyvanova MA, Dement’eva OV, Rudoy VM, Kuzmin VA. Interaction of Gold Nanoparticles with Cyanine Dyes in Cholesteric DNA Submicroparticles. HIGH ENERGY CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0018143921050088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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64
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Politi Y, Bertinetti L, Fratzl P, Barth FG. The spider cuticle: a remarkable material toolbox for functional diversity. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2021; 379:20200332. [PMID: 34334021 PMCID: PMC8326826 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2020.0332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Engineered systems are typically based on a large variety of materials differing in composition and processing to provide the desired functionality. Nature, however, has evolved materials that are used for a wide range of functional challenges with minimal compositional changes. The exoskeletal cuticle of spiders, as well as of other arthropods such as insects and crustaceans, is based on a combination of chitin, protein, water and small amounts of organic cross-linkers or minerals. Spiders use it to obtain mechanical support structures and lever systems for locomotion, protection from adverse environmental influences, tools for piercing, cutting and interlocking, auxiliary structures for the transmission and filtering of sensory information, structural colours, transparent lenses for light manipulation and more. This paper illustrates the 'design space' of a single type of composite with varying internal architecture and its remarkable capability to serve a diversity of functions. This article is part of the theme issue 'Bio-derived and bioinspired sustainable advanced materials for emerging technologies (part 1)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Politi
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Luca Bertinetti
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Fratzl
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Friedrich G. Barth
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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65
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Buccino F, Martinoia G, Vergani LM. Torsion-Resistant Structures: A Nature Addressed Solution. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:5368. [PMID: 34576592 PMCID: PMC8472553 DOI: 10.3390/ma14185368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The complexity of torsional load, its three-dimensional nature, its combination with other stresses, and its disruptive impact make torsional failure prevention an ambitious goal. However, even if the problem has been addressed for decades, a deep and organized treatment is still lacking in the actual research landscape. For this reason, this review aims at presenting a methodical approach to address torsional issues starting from a punctual problem definition. Accidents and breaks due to torsion, which often occur in different engineering fields such as mechanical, biomedical, and civil industry are considered and critically compared. More in depth, the limitations of common-designed torsion-resistant structures (i.e., high complexity and increased weight) are highlighted, and emerge as a crucial point for a deeper nature-driven analysis of novel solutions. In this context, an accurate screening of torsion-resistant bio-inspired unit cells is presented, taking inspiration specifically from plants, that are often subjected to the torsional effect of winds. As future insights, the actual state of technology suggests an innovative transposition to the industry: these unit cells could be prominently implied to develop novel metamaterials that could be able to address the torsional issue with a multi-scale and tailored arrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Buccino
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (DMEC), Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 1, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Giada Martinoia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (DMEC), Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 1, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Maria Vergani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering (DMEC), Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 1, 20156 Milano, Italy
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66
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Goto H, Komaba K, Kumai R. Sequential micro-Maltese cross array in the ground beetle Carabus insulicola. Micron 2021; 150:103136. [PMID: 34509885 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2021.103136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The exoskeleton of the ground beetle Carabus insulicola was observed using polarizing optical microscopy (POM) with simultaneous transmitted and reflected light. The surface showed iridescence owing to the periodic microstructure. A Maltese cross array of the inner layer of the elytra was observed. The matrix of the middle layer of the elytra is composed of protein with the arrangement of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC)-like helical structure. The scanning electron microscopy observations revealed the layers structure of the exoskeleton of the ground beetle. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurement evaluated crystallinity of the exoskeleton. Morphology of the Maltese cross array of the beetle has similarity with synthetic chiral-CLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromasa Goto
- Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8573, Japan.
| | - Kyoka Komaba
- Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8573, Japan
| | - Reiji Kumai
- Photon Factory, Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0801, Japan
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67
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Eun J, Pollard J, Kim SJ, Machon T, Jeong J. Layering transitions and metastable structures of cholesteric liquid crystals in cylindrical confinement. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2102926118. [PMID: 34373332 PMCID: PMC8379955 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102926118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Our study of cholesteric lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals in cylindrical confinement reveals the topological aspects of cholesteric liquid crystals. The double-twist configurations we observe exhibit discontinuous layering transitions, domain formation, metastability, and chiral point defects as the concentration of chiral dopant is varied. We demonstrate that these distinct layer states can be distinguished by chiral topological invariants. We show that changes in the layer structure give rise to a chiral soliton similar to a toron, comprising a metastable pair of chiral point defects. Through the applicability of the invariants we describe to general systems, our work has broad relevance to the study of chiral materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonghee Eun
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Joseph Pollard
- Department of Physics, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Sung-Jo Kim
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Thomas Machon
- H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
| | - Joonwoo Jeong
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea;
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68
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Gevorgyan A. Light absorption suppression in cholesteric liquid crystals with magneto-optical activity. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.116289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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69
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Daban JR. Soft-matter properties of multilayer chromosomes. Phys Biol 2021; 18. [PMID: 34126606 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ac0aff] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This perspective aims to identify the relationships between the structural and dynamic properties of chromosomes and the fundamental properties of soft-matter systems. Chromatin is condensed into metaphase chromosomes during mitosis. The resulting structures are elongated cylinders having micrometer-scale dimensions. Our previous studies, using transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and cryo-electron tomography, suggested that metaphase chromosomes have a multilayered structure, in which each individual layer has the width corresponding to a mononucleosome sheet. The self-assembly of multilayer chromatin plates from small chromatin fragments suggests that metaphase chromosomes are self-organized hydrogels (in which a single DNA molecule crosslinks the whole structure) with an internal liquid-crystal order produced by the stacking of chromatin layers along the chromosome axis. This organization of chromatin was unexpected, but the spontaneous assembly of large structures has been studied in different soft-matter systems and, according to these studies, the self-organization of chromosomes could be justified by the interplay between weak interactions of repetitive nucleosome building blocks and thermal fluctuations. The low energy of interaction between relatively large building blocks also justifies the easy deformation and structural fluctuations of soft-matter structures and the changes of phase caused by diverse external factors. Consistent with these properties of soft matter, different experimental results show that metaphase chromosomes are easily deformable. Furthermore, at the end of mitosis, condensed chromosomes undergo a phase transition into a more fluid structure, which can be correlated to the decrease in the Mg2+concentration and to the dissociation of condensins from chromosomes. Presumably, the unstacking of layers and chromatin fluctuations driven by thermal energy facilitate gene expression during interphase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan-Ramon Daban
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193-Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
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70
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Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Bio-Chiral Dopants Obtained from Bio-Betulin Produced by a Fermentation Process. CRYSTALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst11070785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cholesteric liquid crystals are frequently produced by the addition of chiral dopants to achiral nematic hosts. We report here the synthesis and performance of chiral dopants obtained from bio-betulin produced by a fermentation process. An important aspect of this work is to point out that the fermentation process used to obtain the starting materials is much easier and cheaper when carried out in large volumes than isolating it from the natural product. The performance of the dopants obtained from bio-betulin is indistinguishable from those obtained from commercially available synthetic betulin.
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71
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Smalyukh II. Thermal Management by Engineering the Alignment of Nanocellulose. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2001228. [PMID: 32519371 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202001228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
One of the grand current research challenges is to improve the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings, which cumulatively consume more than 40% of the energy generated globally. In addition to improving the comfort of the inhabitants and mitigating the growing energy consumption problem, new building materials and technologies could provide a safe strategy for geoengineering to mitigate global climate change. Herein, recent progress in developing such advanced materials from nanocellulose, which is often derived from wood or even dirty feedstocks like waste, is reviewed. By using chemical and bacteria-enabled processing, nanocellulose can be used to fabricate broadband photonic reflectors, thermally super-insulating aerogels, solar gain regulators, and low-emissivity coatings, with potential applications in windows, roofs, walls, and other components of buildings envelopes. These material developments draw inspiration from advanced energy management found in nature, such as the nanoporous photonic structures that evolved in cuticles of beetles. Fabrication of such materials takes advantage of mesoscale liquid crystalline self-assembly, which allows for pre-designed control of cellulose nanoparticle orientations at the mesoscale. With the potential fully realized, such materials could one day transform the current energy-lossy buildings into energy plants on Earth and possibly even enable extraterrestrial habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan I Smalyukh
- Department of Physics, Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering Program and Soft Materials Research Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
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72
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Vitral E, Leo PH, Viñals J. Phase-field model for a weakly compressible soft layered material: morphological transitions on smectic-isotropic interfaces. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:6140-6159. [PMID: 34080608 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00488c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A coupled phase-field and hydrodynamic model is introduced to describe a two-phase, weakly compressible smectic (layered phase) in contact with an isotropic fluid of different density. A non-conserved smectic order parameter is coupled to a conserved mass density in order to accommodate non-solenoidal flows near the smectic-isotropic boundary arising from density contrast between the two phases. The model aims to describe morphological transitions in smectic thin films under heat treatment, in which arrays of focal conic defects evolve into conical pyramids and concentric rings through curvature dependent evaporation of smectic layers. The model leads to an extended thermodynamic relation at a curved surface that includes its Gaussian curvature, non-classical stresses at the boundary and flows arising from density gradients. The temporal evolution given by the model conserves the overall mass of the liquid crystal while still allowing for the modulated smectic structure to grow or shrink. A numerical solution of the governing equations reveals that pyramidal domains are sculpted at the center of focal conics upon a temperature increase, which display tangential flows at their surface. Other cases investigated include the possible coalescence of two cylindrical stacks of smectic layers, formation of droplets, and the interactions between focal conic domains through flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Vitral
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89557, USA.
| | - Perry H Leo
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, University of Minnesota, 110 Union St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jorge Viñals
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, 116 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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73
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Wang Y, Li Q, Zhang J, Qi W, You S, Su R, He Z. Self-Templated, Enantioselective Assembly of an Amyloid-like Dipeptide into Multifunctional Hierarchical Helical Arrays. ACS NANO 2021; 15:9827-9840. [PMID: 34047550 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c00746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chiral self-assembly of peptides has attracted great interest owing to their promising applications in biomedicine, chemistry, and materials science. However, compared with the rich knowledge about their chiral self-assembly at the molecular or nanoscale, the formation of long-range-ordered hierarchical helical arrays (HHAs) from simple peptides remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report the self-templated assembly of an amyloid-like dipeptide into long-range-ordered HHAs by their spontaneous fibrillization and hierarchical helical assembly within a confined film. The chiral interactions between the peptide and diamines result in geometry frustration and the phase transition of self-assembling peptide films from achiral spherulite structures into chiral HHAs. By changing the chirality and enantioselective interactions, we can control the phase behavior, handedness, and chiroptics of the self-assembled HHAs precisely. Moreover, the redox activity of the HHAs allows the in situ decoration of nanoparticles with high catalytic activity. These results provide insights into the chiral self-assembly of peptides and the fabrication of highly ordered materials with complex architectures and promising applications in chiroptics and catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuefei Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Qi
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengping You
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongxin Su
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin He
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
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74
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Boyon C, Soldan V, Mitov M. Bioinspired, Cholesteric Liquid-Crystal Reflectors with Time-Controlled Coexisting Chiral and Achiral Structures. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:30118-30126. [PMID: 34132540 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c08218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The twisted structures of the chitin-based cuticle of beetles confer specific optical characteristics on them. Intrigued by the observation of Bragg gratings with a depth-dependent periodicity in the cuticle of Chrysina beetles, we determine the experimental conditions leading to their transcription into cholesteric liquid-crystal oligomers. We correlate the optical properties of reflectors thus produced with their internal morphology, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. With the use of a single parameter, thermal annealing time, the reflection color is made time-tunable. Different spectral bands and reflection colors from golden yellow to NIR are available, and the irreversibility of the final color is reached at the end. On the basis of the design concept and these properties, these hybrid chiral-achiral materials inspire the fabrication of smart reflective labels. When encapsulated in the package of a product to be kept under cold conditions, the label records the history of the product conservation. Two kinds of information based on color changes are recorded as follows: qualitative information reporting that the product was kept outside of the specified storage temperature and quantitative information giving an indication of the time elapsed since the temperature exceeded the storage temperature of the product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécilia Boyon
- Centre d'Elaboration de Matériaux et d'Etudes Structurales, CEMES, CNRS, 31055 Toulouse, France
| | - Vanessa Soldan
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative, CBI, Microscopie Electronique Intégrative, METi, CNRS, University of Toulouse, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Michel Mitov
- Centre d'Elaboration de Matériaux et d'Etudes Structurales, CEMES, CNRS, 31055 Toulouse, France
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75
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Zhang J, Jiang Y, Gao Y, Li J. Tribological Properties of Cholesteric Fluorinated Liquid Crystal as Lubricant Additives in PAO4 under Elevated Temperatures. Ind Eng Chem Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.1c00924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Zhang
- Laboratory for Advanced Lubricating Materials, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Laboratory for Advanced Lubricating Materials, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, P. R. China
| | - Yiming Gao
- Laboratory for Advanced Lubricating Materials, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, P. R. China
| | - Jiusheng Li
- Laboratory for Advanced Lubricating Materials, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, P. R. China
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76
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Kádár R, Spirk S, Nypelö T. Cellulose Nanocrystal Liquid Crystal Phases: Progress and Challenges in Characterization Using Rheology Coupled to Optics, Scattering, and Spectroscopy. ACS NANO 2021; 15:7931-7945. [PMID: 33756078 PMCID: PMC8158857 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c09829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) self-assemble and can be flow-assembled to liquid crystalline orders in a water suspension. The orders range from nano- to macroscale with the contributions of individual crystals, their micron clusters, and macroscopic assemblies. The resulting hierarchies are optically active materials that exhibit iridescence, reflectance, and light transmission. Although these assemblies have the potential for future renewable materials, details about structures on different hierarchical levels that span from the nano- to the macroscale are still not unraveled. Rheological characterization is essential for investigating flow properties; however, bulk material properties make it difficult to capture the various length-scales during assembly of the suspensions, for example, in simple shear flow. Rheometry is combined with other characterization methods to allow direct analysis of the structure development in the individual hierarchical levels. While optical techniques, scattering, and spectroscopy are often used to complement rheological observations, coupling them in situ to allow simultaneous observation is paramount to fully understand the details of CNC assembly from liquid to solid. This Review provides an overview of achievements in the coupled analytics, as well as our current opinion about opportunities to unravel the structural distinctiveness of cellulose nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Kádár
- Department
of Industrial Materials Science, Chalmers
University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg
Wood Science Center (WWSC), Chalmers University
of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stefan Spirk
- Institute
of Bioproducts and Paper Technology, Graz
University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Tiina Nypelö
- Wallenberg
Wood Science Center (WWSC), Chalmers University
of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers
University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
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77
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Bast L, Klockars KW, Greca LG, Rojas OJ, Tardy BL, Bruns N. Infiltration of Proteins in Cholesteric Cellulose Structures. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:2067-2080. [PMID: 33899466 PMCID: PMC8154265 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can spontaneously self-assemble into chiral nematic (cn) structures, similar to natural cholesteric organizations. The latter display highly dissipative fracture propagation mechanisms given their "brick" (particles) and "mortar" (soft matrix) architecture. Unfortunately, CNCs in liquid media have strong supramolecular interactions with most macromolecules, leading to aggregated suspensions. Herein, we describe a method to prepare nanocomposite materials from chiral nematic CNCs (cn-CNCs) with strongly interacting secondary components. Films of cn-CNCs were infiltrated at various loadings with strongly interacting silk proteins and bovine serum albumin. For comparison and to determine the molecular weight range of macromolecules that can infiltrate cn-CNC films, they were also infiltrated with a range of poly(ethylene glycol) polymers that do not interact strongly with CNCs. The extent and impact of infiltration were evaluated by studying the optical reflection properties of the resulting hybrid materials (UV-vis spectroscopy), while fracture dissipation mechanisms were observed via electron microscopy. We propose that infiltration of cn-CNCs enables the introduction of virtually any secondary phase for nanocomposite formation that is otherwise not possible using simple mixing or other conventional approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia
K. Bast
- Adolphe
Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department
of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University
of Strathclyde, Thomas
Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, United Kingdom
| | - Konrad W. Klockars
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O.
Box 16300, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Luiz G. Greca
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O.
Box 16300, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Orlando J. Rojas
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O.
Box 16300, 00076 Aalto, Finland
- Departments
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry, and Wood Science, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Blaise L. Tardy
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O.
Box 16300, 00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Nico Bruns
- Adolphe
Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department
of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University
of Strathclyde, Thomas
Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, United Kingdom
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78
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Pignon F, Challamel M, De Geyer A, Elchamaa M, Semeraro EF, Hengl N, Jean B, Putaux JL, Gicquel E, Bras J, Prevost S, Sztucki M, Narayanan T, Djeridi H. Breakdown and buildup mechanisms of cellulose nanocrystal suspensions under shear and upon relaxation probed by SAXS and SALS. Carbohydr Polym 2021; 260:117751. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.117751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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79
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Bosire R, Ndaya D, Kasi RM. Cholesteric mesophase based 1D photonic materials from self-assembly of liquid crystalline block and random terpolymers containing chromonic molecules. RSC Adv 2021; 11:14615-14623. [PMID: 35424004 PMCID: PMC8697838 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra00899d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe the influence of competing self-organizing phenomena on the formation of cholesteric mesophase in liquid crystalline brush block terpolymers (LCBBTs) and liquid crystalline random brush terpolymers (LCRBTs) containing chromonic molecules. A library of LCBBTs and LCRBTs are synthesized using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene side-chain functionalized monomers comprising cholesteryl mesogen (NBCh9), chromonic xanthenone (NBXan), and poly(ethylene glycol) (NBMPEG). Compression molded films of LCRBTs containing chromonic molecules display multilevel hierarchical structure in which cholesteric mesophase co-exists with π-π stacking of the chromonic mesophase along with PEG microphase segregated domains. This is unexpected as conventional LCBCPs and LCBBCs that lack chromonic molecules do not form cholesteric mesophases. The presence of π-π interactions modifies the interface at the IMDS so that both chromonic and cholesteric mesophases coexist leading to the manifestation of cholesteric phase for the first time within block architecture and is very reminiscent of previously published LCRBCs without chromonic molecules. The key to the observed hierarchical assembly in these LCBBTs containing chromonic molecules lies in the interplay of LC order, chromonic π-π stacking, PEG side chain microphase segregation, and their supramolecular cooperative motion. This unique "single component" polymer scaffold transforms our capacity to attain nanoscale hierarchies and optical properties from block architecture similar to nanoscale mesophases resulting in random architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reuben Bosire
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut Storrs CT 06269 USA
| | - Dennis Ndaya
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut Storrs CT 06269 USA
- Polymer Program, Institute of Material Science, University of Connecticut Storrs CT 06269 USA
| | - Rajeswari M Kasi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut Storrs CT 06269 USA
- Polymer Program, Institute of Material Science, University of Connecticut Storrs CT 06269 USA
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80
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Jackson K, Peivandi A, Fogal M, Tian L, Hosseinidoust Z. Filamentous Phages as Building Blocks for Bioactive Hydrogels. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:2262-2273. [PMID: 35014350 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Filamentous bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) are semiflexible proteinous nanofilaments with high aspect ratios for which the surface chemistry can be controlled with atomic precision via genetic engineering. That, in addition to their ability to self-propagate and replicate a nearly monodisperse batch of biologically and chemically identical nanofilaments, makes these bionanofilaments superior to most synthetic nanoparticles and thus a powerful tool in the bioengineers' toolbox. Furthermore, filamentous phages form liquid crystalline structures at high concentrations; these ordered assemblies create hierarchically ordered macro-, micro-, and nanostructures that, once cross-linked, can form hierarchically ordered hydrogels, hydrated soft material with a variety of physical and chemical properties suitable for biomedical applications (e.g., wound dressings and tissue engineering scaffolds) as well as biosensing, diagnostic assays. We provide a critical review of these hydrogels of filamentous phage, and their physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological properties and current applications, as well as an overview of limitations and challenges and outlook for future applications. In addition, we present a list of design parameters for filamentous phage hydrogels to serve as a guide for the (bio)engineer and (bio)chemist interested in utilizing these powerful bionanofilaments for designing smart, bioactive materials and devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Jackson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Azadeh Peivandi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Meea Fogal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Lei Tian
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Zeinab Hosseinidoust
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7, Canada.,Michael DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
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81
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Bagnani M, Azzari P, De Michele C, Arcari M, Mezzenga R. Elastic constants of biological filamentous colloids: estimation and implications on nematic and cholesteric tactoid morphologies. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:2158-2169. [PMID: 33443281 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01886d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Biological liquid crystals, originating from the self-assembly of biological filamentous colloids, such as cellulose and amyloid fibrils, show a complex lyotropic behaviour that is extremely difficult to predict and characterize. Here we analyse the liquid crystalline phases of amyloid fibrils, and sulfated and carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals and measure their Frank-Oseen elastic constants K1, K2 and K3 by four different approaches. The first two approaches are based on the benchmark of the predictions of: (i) a scaling form and (ii) a variational form of the Frank-Oseen energy functional with the experimental critical volumes at order-order liquid crystalline transitions of the tactoids. The third and the fourth methods imply: (iii) the direct scaling equations of elastic constants and (iv) a molecular theory predicting the elastic constants from the experimentally accessible contour length distributions of the filamentous colloids. These three biological systems exhibit diverse liquid crystalline behaviour, governed by the distinct elastic constants characterizing each colloid. Differences and similarities among the three systems are highlighted and interpreted based on the present analysis, providing a general framework to study dispersed liquid crystalline systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Bagnani
- ETH Zurich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Schmelzbergstrasse 9, LFO E23 Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Paride Azzari
- ETH Zurich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Schmelzbergstrasse 9, LFO E23 Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Cristiano De Michele
- "Sapienza" Universita' di Roma, Dipartimento di Fisica, P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Mario Arcari
- ETH Zurich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Schmelzbergstrasse 9, LFO E23 Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- ETH Zurich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Schmelzbergstrasse 9, LFO E23 Zurich 8092, Switzerland and ETH Zurich, Department of Materials, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, Zurich 8093, Switzerland.
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82
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Khadem SA, Rey AD. Nucleation and growth of cholesteric collagen tactoids: A time-series statistical analysis based on integration of direct numerical simulation (DNS) and long short-term memory recurrent neural network (LSTM-RNN). J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 582:859-873. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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83
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Benkowska-Biernacka D, Smalyukh II, Matczyszyn K. Morphology of Lyotropic Myelin Figures Stained with a Fluorescent Dye. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:11974-11979. [PMID: 33347307 PMCID: PMC7872420 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c08907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lyotropic myelin figures (MFs), i.e., long cylindrical structures formed by certain surfactants, owe their name to their resemblance to the biological membrane that covers nerve fibers. Herein, we used a strong bilayer-forming zwitterionic phospholipid stained by the Nile Red dye to study lamellar mesophases. Polarized optical microscopy and fluorescence confocal microscopy allowed us to investigate the morphology of myelin structures and determine the orientational order of amphiphilic molecules. The cross-sectional views reveal significant differences in the configurations of MFs within the liquid crystalline cell, as well as the details of a spontaneous and stimulated formation of branched lipid tubes. Our results provide insights into small-scale morphology and out-of-equilibrium structural changes in the multilamellar structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Benkowska-Biernacka
- Advanced
Materials Engineering and Modelling Group, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ivan I. Smalyukh
- Department
of Physics and Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Katarzyna Matczyszyn
- Advanced
Materials Engineering and Modelling Group, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
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84
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Ding WQ, Liu H, Qin SY, Jiang Y, Lei X, Zhang AQ. A Lyotropic Liquid Crystal from a Flexible Oligopeptide Amphiphile in Dimethyl Sulfoxide. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:8989-8996. [PMID: 35019575 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite the rapid progress in peptide liquid crystals (LCs) due to their prominent properties, our investigation on flexible peptide-based LCs is incomplete, mainly resulted from their unclear formation mechanisms and unexploited applications in organic solvents. Here, we develop a lyotropic LC based on a flexible oligopeptide amphiphile, which aggregates into aligned cylinder-like nanostructures in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The formation mechanism of lyotropic LC in DMSO was probed by the experimental investigation and molecular dynamics simulation, indicating that the hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions contribute to the formation of ordered nanostructures in the organic solvent. Arising from the orientational order and suitable fluidity, we exploit the application of lyotropic LC as an aligned medium to measure the residual dipolar couplings of bioactive molecules. This study not only offers the understanding of the mechanism to create LC systems without rigid aromatic groups but also expands the applications of ordered bottom-up nanomaterials in organic solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qiang Ding
- Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Energy Materials Chemistry of Ministry of Education & Hubei Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials Science, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Han Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Si-Yong Qin
- Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Energy Materials Chemistry of Ministry of Education & Hubei Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials Science, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Energy Materials Chemistry of Ministry of Education & Hubei Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials Science, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xinxiang Lei
- Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Energy Materials Chemistry of Ministry of Education & Hubei Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials Science, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Ai-Qing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Energy Materials Chemistry of Ministry of Education & Hubei Key Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials Science, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China
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85
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Zhang X, Koz B, Bisoyi HK, Wang H, Gutierrez-Cuevas KG, McConney ME, Bunning TJ, Li Q. Electro- and Photo-Driven Orthogonal Switching of a Helical Superstructure Enabled by an Axially Chiral Molecular Switch. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:55215-55222. [PMID: 33237715 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c19527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Self-organized functional soft materials, enabled by specific chemical architectures, are currently attracting tremendous attention because of their stimuli-responsive attributes and applications in advanced technological devices. A novel axially chiral molecular switch containing two azo linkages and six terminal alkyl chains on two elongated rod-shaped wings, that exhibits superior solubility, high helical twisting power, and reversible photoisomerization in an achiral liquid crystal host, is synthesized and utilized in the development of a photoresponsive, self-organized helical superstructure, that is, cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC). The planar CLC adopts a standing helix (SH) configuration because of surface alignment layers on the substrates. This SH can be transitioned to a lying helix configuration, enabling tunable diffraction gratings under the application of electric field. Adjustment of the initial pitch of the planar CLC by photoirradiation yields the diffraction gratings with stripes either parallel or perpendicular to the rubbing direction upon the application of an appropriate electric field. Tunable beam steering along orthogonal directions has been demonstrated. Such tunable stimuli-responsive soft materials fabricated with artificial chiral switches show great potential in optics, photonics, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinfang Zhang
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
| | - Banu Koz
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
- Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Karaman 70200, Turkey
| | - Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
| | - Hao Wang
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
| | - Karla G Gutierrez-Cuevas
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
| | - Michael E McConney
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB 45433, Ohio, United States
| | - Timothy J Bunning
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB 45433, Ohio, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent 44242, Ohio, United States
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86
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Peacock C, Lee E, Beral T, Cisek R, Tokarz D, Kreplak L. Buckling and Torsional Instabilities of a Nanoscale Biological Rope Bound to an Elastic Substrate. ACS NANO 2020; 14:12877-12884. [PMID: 32966048 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c03695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rope-like structures are ubiquitous in Nature. They are supermolecular assemblies of macromolecules responsible for the structural and mechanical integrity of plant and animal tissues. Collagen fibrils with diameters between 50 and 500 nm and their helical supermolecular structure are good examples of such nanoscale biological ropes. Like man-made laid ropes, fibrils are typically loaded in tension, and due to their large aspect ratio, they are, in principle, prone to buckling and torsional instabilities. One way to study buckling of a rigid rod is to attach it to a stretched elastic substrate that is then returned to its original length. In the case of single collagen fibrils, the observed behavior depends on the degree of hydration. By going from buckling in ambient conditions to immersed in a buffer, fibrils go from the well-known sine wave response to a localized behavior reminiscent of the bird-caging of laid ropes. In addition, in ambient conditions, the sine wave response coexists with the formation of loops along the length of the fibrils, as observed for the torsional instability of a twisted filament when tension is decreased. This work provides direct evidence that single collagen fibrils are highly susceptible to axial compression because of their helical supermolecular structure. As a result, mammals that use collagen fibrils as their main load-bearing element in many tissues have evolved mitigating strategies that protect single fibrils from axial compression damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Peacock
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4J5, Canada
| | - Eva Lee
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4J5, Canada
| | - Theo Beral
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4J5, Canada
| | - Richard Cisek
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, Canada
| | - Danielle Tokarz
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, Canada
| | - Laurent Kreplak
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4J5, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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87
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Anyfantakis M, Jampani VSR, Kizhakidathazhath R, Binks BP, Lagerwall JPF. Responsive Photonic Liquid Marbles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:19260-19267. [PMID: 32686264 PMCID: PMC7589305 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202008210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Liquid marbles have potential to serve as mini-reactors for fabricating new materials, but this has been exploited little and mostly for conventional chemical reactions. Here, we uncover the unparalleled capability of liquid marbles to act as platforms for controlling the self-assembly of a bio-derived polymer, hydroxypropyl cellulose, into a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase showing structural coloration by Bragg reflection. By adjusting the cholesteric pitch via quantitative water extraction, we achieve liquid marbles that we can tailor for structural color anywhere in the visible range. Liquid marbles respond with color change that can be detected by eye, to changes in temperature, exposure to toxic chemicals and mechanical deformation. Our concept demonstrates the advantages of using liquid marbles as a miniature platform for controlling the liquid crystal self-assembly of bio-derived polymers, and their exploitation to fabricate sustainable, responsive soft photonic objects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manos Anyfantakis
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceUniversity of Luxembourg162a Avenue de la Faïencerie1511LuxembourgLuxembourg
| | - Venkata S. R. Jampani
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceUniversity of Luxembourg162a Avenue de la Faïencerie1511LuxembourgLuxembourg
| | - Rijeesh Kizhakidathazhath
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceUniversity of Luxembourg162a Avenue de la Faïencerie1511LuxembourgLuxembourg
| | - Bernard P. Binks
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of HullHU6 7RXHullUK
| | - Jan P. F. Lagerwall
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceUniversity of Luxembourg162a Avenue de la Faïencerie1511LuxembourgLuxembourg
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88
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Thurgood P, Suarez SA, Pirogova E, Jex AR, Peter K, Baratchi S, Khoshmanesh K. Tunable Harmonic Flow Patterns in Microfluidic Systems through Simple Tube Oscillation. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2003612. [PMID: 33006247 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202003612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Generation of tunable harmonic flows at low cost in microfluidic systems is a persistent and significant obstacle to this field, substantially limiting its potential to address major scientific questions and applications. This work introduces a simple and elegant way to overcome this obstacle. Harmonic flow patterns can be generated in microfluidic structures by simply oscillating the inlet tubes. Complex rib and vortex patterns can be dynamically modulated by changing the frequency and magnitude of tube oscillation and the viscosity of liquid. Highly complex rib patterns and synchronous vortices can be generated in serially connected microfluidic chambers. Similar dynamic patterns can be generated using whole or diluted blood samples without damaging the sample. This method offers unique opportunities for studying complex fluids and soft materials, chemical synthesis of various compounds, and mimicking harmonic flows in biological systems using compact, tunable, and low-cost devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Thurgood
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | | | - Elena Pirogova
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Aaron R Jex
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia and Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Karlheinz Peter
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Sara Baratchi
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
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89
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Wang L, Urbas AM, Li Q. Nature-Inspired Emerging Chiral Liquid Crystal Nanostructures: From Molecular Self-Assembly to DNA Mesophase and Nanocolloids. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1801335. [PMID: 30160812 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201801335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) are omnipresent in living matter, whose chirality is an elegant and distinct feature in certain plant tissues, the cuticles of crabs, beetles, arthropods, and beyond. Taking inspiration from nature, researchers have recently devoted extensive efforts toward developing chiral liquid crystalline materials with self-organized nanostructures and exploring their potential applications in diverse fields ranging from dynamic photonics to energy and safety issues. In this review, an account on the state of the art of emerging chiral liquid crystalline nanostructured materials and their technological applications is provided. First, an overview on the significance of chiral liquid crystalline architectures in various living systems is given. Then, the recent significant progress in different chiral liquid crystalline systems including thermotropic LCs (cholesteric LCs, cubic blue phases, achiral bent-core LCs, etc.) and lyotropic LCs (DNA LCs, nanocellulose LCs, and graphene oxide LCs) is showcased. The review concludes with a perspective on the future scope, opportunities, and challenges in these truly advanced functional soft materials and their promising applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wang
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Augustine M Urbas
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433, USA
| | - Quan Li
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
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90
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Sakurai S, Jo K, Kinoshita H, Esumi M, Tanaka M. Guanine damage by singlet oxygen from SYBR Green I in liquid crystalline DNA. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:7183-7187. [PMID: 32897281 DOI: 10.1039/d0ob01723j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
It is known that double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) turns into a liquid crystalline phase by the addition of a high concentration of polymer with salt. SYBR Green I (SG) is a well-known sensitive fluorescent stain for dsDNA, and is intercalated in liquid crystalline DNA. Formation of the liquid crystalline dsDNA-SG complex has been confirmed by CD spectral measurements, fluorescence spectral measurements and confocal fluorescence microscopy. SG in dsDNA was also used as a singlet oxygen generator. We conducted photoirradiation experiments using three kinds of 42-mer oligonucleotides with SG. The amount of guanine decomposition by selective irradiation of SG was analyzed using HPLC after digestion of dsDNA in each sample solution. We found that singlet oxygen produced in liquid crystalline DNA promoted guanine damage much more efficiently than in homogeneous solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Sakurai
- Department of Engineering Science, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan.
| | - Kento Jo
- Department of Engineering Science, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan.
| | - Hikari Kinoshita
- Department of Engineering Science, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan.
| | - Mayu Esumi
- Department of Engineering Science, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan.
| | - Makiko Tanaka
- Department of Engineering Science, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan.
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91
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Khadem SA, Bagnani M, Mezzenga R, Rey AD. Relaxation dynamics in bio-colloidal cholesteric liquid crystals confined to cylindrical geometry. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4616. [PMID: 32934229 PMCID: PMC7493995 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18421-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Para-nematic phases, induced by unwinding chiral helices, spontaneously relax to a chiral ground state through phase ordering dynamics that are of great interest and crucial for applications such as stimuli-responsive and biomimetic engineering. In this work, we characterize the cholesteric phase relaxation behaviors of β-lactoglobulin amyloid fibrils and cellulose nanocrystals confined into cylindrical capillaries, uncovering two different equilibration pathways. The integration of experimental measurements and theoretical predictions reveals the starkly distinct underlying mechanism behind the relaxation dynamics of β-lactoglobulin amyloid fibrils, characterized by slow equilibration achieved through consecutive sigmoidal-like steps, and of cellulose nanocrystals, characterized by fast equilibration obtained through smooth relaxation dynamics. Particularly, the specific relaxation behaviors are shown to emerge from the order parameter of the unwound cholesteric medium, which depends on chirality and elasticity. The experimental findings are supported by direct numerical simulations, allowing to establish hard-to-measure viscoelastic properties without applying magnetic or electric fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayyed Ahmad Khadem
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B2, Canada
- Quebec Centre for Advanced Materials, Canada (QCAM/CQMF), Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada
| | - Massimo Bagnani
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 9, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 9, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
- Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Alejandro D Rey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B2, Canada.
- Quebec Centre for Advanced Materials, Canada (QCAM/CQMF), Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada.
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92
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Anyfantakis M, Jampani VSR, Kizhakidathazhath R, Binks BP, Lagerwall JPF. Responsive Photonic Liquid Marbles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202008210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Manos Anyfantakis
- Department of Physics and Materials Science University of Luxembourg 162a Avenue de la Faïencerie 1511 Luxembourg Luxembourg
| | - Venkata S. R. Jampani
- Department of Physics and Materials Science University of Luxembourg 162a Avenue de la Faïencerie 1511 Luxembourg Luxembourg
| | - Rijeesh Kizhakidathazhath
- Department of Physics and Materials Science University of Luxembourg 162a Avenue de la Faïencerie 1511 Luxembourg Luxembourg
| | - Bernard P. Binks
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Hull HU6 7RX Hull UK
| | - Jan P. F. Lagerwall
- Department of Physics and Materials Science University of Luxembourg 162a Avenue de la Faïencerie 1511 Luxembourg Luxembourg
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93
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Scarangella A, Soldan V, Mitov M. Biomimetic design of iridescent insect cuticles with tailored, self-organized cholesteric patterns. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4108. [PMID: 32796840 PMCID: PMC7429863 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17884-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Replicating biological patterns is promising for designing materials with multifaceted properties. Twisted cholesteric liquid crystal patterns are found in the iridescent tessellated cuticles of many insects and a few fruits. Their accurate replication is extremely difficult since discontinuous patterns and colors must coexist in a single layer without discontinuity of the structures. Here, a solution is demonstrated by addressing striped insect cuticles with a complex twisted organization. Geometric constraints are met by controlling the thermal diffusion in a cholesteric oligomer bilayer subjected to local changes in the molecular anchoring conditions. A multicriterion comparison reveals a very high level of biomimicry. Proof-of-concept prototypes of anti-counterfeiting tags are presented. The present design involves an economy of resources and a high versatility of chiral patterns unreached by the current manufacturing techniques such as metallic layer vacuum deposition, template embossing and various forms of lithography which are limited and often prohibitively expensive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Scarangella
- Centre d'Elaboration de Matériaux et d'Etudes Structurales, CEMES, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Vanessa Soldan
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative, CBI, Microscopie Electronique Intégrative, METi, CNRS, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Michel Mitov
- Centre d'Elaboration de Matériaux et d'Etudes Structurales, CEMES, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
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94
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Mendoza CI, Reyes JA. Dependence of the elastic band structure of a helical medium on thermal dilatation. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2020; 32:445701. [PMID: 32492670 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ab9915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We consider an elastic helical medium formed by uniformly rotating a triclinic crystal around a given axis to constitute a helical medium giving rise to a material whose tensor stiffness rotates uniformly and varies along the helix axis. A detailed analysis of its elastic properties has been done previously. Here, we are concerned in analyzing the role of thermal coupling with heat flow through the dilatation tensor. Starting from a general dynamic description of the thermoelastic phenomena which takes into account the finite speed of propagation of thermal waves, we establish a set of equations for the strains, stresses, temperature and heat flow. These equations allow to calculate the band structure and the logarithmic ratio between longitudinal and transverse strains. We express our results for different values of the thermoelastic coupling and period of the helix which show remarkable modifications when compared with the case in which no thermoelastic coupling is present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos I Mendoza
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CdMx, Mexico
| | - J Adrián Reyes
- Departamento de Fı́sica Quı́mica, Instituto de Fı́sica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CdMx, Mexico
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95
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Mercatelli R, Triulzi T, Pavone FS, Orlandi R, Cicchi R. Collagen ultrastructural symmetry and its malignant alterations in human breast cancer revealed by polarization-resolved second-harmonic generation microscopy. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2020; 13:e202000159. [PMID: 32472568 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202000159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Several specific alterations of the extracellular matrix can be considered a distinctive hallmark of cancer. In particular, a different morphology of the collagen scaffold is frequently found within the peritumoural environment. In this study, we report about a significant difference in the ultrastructural organization of collagen at the supra-molecular level between the perilesional scaffold and the tumour area in human breast carcinoma samples. In particular, we demonstrated that polarization-resolved second-harmonic generation (P-SHG) microscopy is able to link the altered collagen architecture at the ultrastructural level found in perilesional tissue with a different organization of collagen fibrils at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Mercatelli
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council (CNR-INO), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Aerospazio Tecnologie s.r.l., Italy
| | - Tiziana Triulzi
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Pavone
- Department of Physics, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Rosaria Orlandi
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cicchi
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council (CNR-INO), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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96
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Wang Z, Servio P, Rey AD. Mechanogeometry of nanowrinkling in cholesteric liquid crystal surfaces. Phys Rev E 2020; 101:062705. [PMID: 32688582 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.101.062705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Biological plywoods are multifunctional fibrous composites materials, ubiquitous in nature. The chiral fibrous organization is found in chitin (insects), cellulosics (plants), and collagen I (cornea and bone of mammals) and is a solid analog of that of cholesteric liquid crystals. The surface and interfaces of plywoods are distinguished by hierarchical topographies and nanowrinkling. In this paper, we present a theory to model the emergence of these surfaces and interfaces using liquid crystal-based shape equations that directly connect material properties with geometric wrinkling. The model applies to liquid crystal precursors of the plywood solid analoges. We focus on wrinkling geometry, wrinkling mechanics, and the mechanogeometry relationships that underlie multifunctionality ubiquitous in biological surfaces. Scaling wrinkling laws that connect mechanical pressures and stresses to folding and bending are formulated and quantified. A synthesis of the connections between mechanics and geometry is achieved using the topology of stress curves and curvature of the wrinkles. Taken together the results show that anchoring is a versatile surface morphing mechanism with a rich surface bending stress field, two ingredients behind many potential multifunctionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziheng Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Phillip Servio
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Alejandro D Rey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
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97
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Mirror Symmetry Breaking in Liquids and Their Impact on the Development of Homochirality in Abiogenesis: Emerging Proto-RNA as Source of Biochirality? Symmetry (Basel) 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/sym12071098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in mirror symmetry breaking and chirality amplification in isotropic liquids and liquid crystalline cubic phases of achiral molecule is reviewed and discussed with respect to its implications for the hypothesis of emergence of biological chirality. It is shown that mirror symmetry breaking takes place in fluid systems where homochiral interactions are preferred over heterochiral and a dynamic network structure leads to chirality synchronization if the enantiomerization barrier is sufficiently low, i.e., that racemization drives the development of uniform chirality. Local mirror symmetry breaking leads to conglomerate formation. Total mirror symmetry breaking requires either a proper phase transitions kinetics or minor chiral fields, leading to stochastic and deterministic homochirality, respectively, associated with an extreme chirality amplification power close to the bifurcation point. These mirror symmetry broken liquids are thermodynamically stable states and considered as possible systems in which uniform biochirality could have emerged. A model is hypothesized, which assumes the emergence of uniform chirality by chirality synchronization in dynamic “helical network fluids” followed by polymerization, fixing the chirality and leading to proto-RNA formation in a single process.
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98
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Tortora MMC, Mishra G, Prešern D, Doye JPK. Chiral shape fluctuations and the origin of chirality in cholesteric phases of DNA origamis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaw8331. [PMID: 32789165 PMCID: PMC7399560 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw8331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Lyotropic cholesteric liquid crystal phases are ubiquitously observed in biological and synthetic polymer solutions, characterized by a complex interplay between thermal fluctuations and entropic and enthalpic forces. The elucidation of the link between microscopic features and macroscopic chiral structure, and of the relative roles of these competing contributions on phase organization, remains a topical issue. Here, we provide theoretical evidence of a previously unidentified mechanism of chirality amplification in lyotropic liquid crystals, whereby phase chirality is governed by fluctuation-stabilized helical deformations in the conformations of their constituent molecules. Our results compare favorably to recent experimental studies of DNA origami assemblies and demonstrate the influence of intramolecular mechanics on chiral supramolecular order, with potential implications for a broad class of experimentally relevant colloidal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime M. C. Tortora
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Garima Mishra
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Domen Prešern
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, UK
| | - Jonathan P. K. Doye
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, UK
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99
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Chen P, Wei BY, Hu W, Lu YQ. Liquid-Crystal-Mediated Geometric Phase: From Transmissive to Broadband Reflective Planar Optics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1903665. [PMID: 31566267 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201903665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Planar optical elements that can manipulate the multidimensional physical parameters of light efficiently and compactly are highly sought after in modern optics and nanophotonics. In recent years, the geometric phase, induced by the photonic spin-orbit interaction, has attracted extensive attention for planar optics due to its powerful beam shaping capability. The geometric phase can usually be generated via inhomogeneous anisotropic materials, among which liquid crystals (LCs) have been a focus. Their pronounced optical properties and controllable and stimuli-responsive self-assembly behavior introduce new possibilities for LCs beyond traditional panel displays. Recent advances in LC-mediated geometric phase planar optics are briefly reviewed. First, several recently developed photopatterning techniques are presented, enabling the accurate fabrication of complicated LC microstructures. Subsequently, nematic LC-based transmissive planar optical elements and chiral LC-based broadband reflective elements are reviewed systematically. Versatile functionalities are revealed, from conventional beam steering and focusing, to advanced structuring. Combining the geometric phase with structured LC materials offers a satisfactory platform for planar optics with desired functionalities and drastically extends exceptional applications of ordered soft matter. Some prospects on this rapidly advancing field are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Bing-Yan Wei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Optical Information Technology, School of Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Wei Hu
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
- Institute for Smart Liquid Crystals, JITRI, Changshu, 215500, China
| | - Yan-Qing Lu
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
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Sviben S, Spaeker O, Bennet M, Albéric M, Dirks JH, Moussian B, Fratzl P, Bertinetti L, Politi Y. Epidermal Cell Surface Structure and Chitin-Protein Co-assembly Determine Fiber Architecture in the Locust Cuticle. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:25581-25590. [PMID: 32343541 PMCID: PMC7304823 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c04572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The geometrical similarity of helicoidal fiber arrangement in many biological fibrous extracellular matrices, such as bone, plant cell wall, or arthropod cuticle, to that of cholesteric liquid mesophases has led to the hypothesis that they may form passively through a mesophase precursor rather than by direct cellular control. In search of direct evidence to support or refute this hypothesis, here, we studied the process of cuticle formation in the tibia of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, where daily growth layers arise by the deposition of fiber arrangements alternating between unidirectional and helicoidal structures. Using focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) volume imaging and scanning X-ray scattering, we show that the epidermal cells determine an initial fiber orientation, from which the final architecture emerges by the self-organized co-assembly of chitin and proteins. Fiber orientation in the locust cuticle is therefore determined by both active and passive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Sviben
- Department
of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Oliver Spaeker
- Department
of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mathieu Bennet
- Department
of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Marie Albéric
- Department
of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Laboratoire
Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris, Sorbonne Université, UMR CNRS 7574, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jan-Henning Dirks
- Max
Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
- Biomimetics-Innovation-Centre, Hochschule Bremen—City University of Applied
Sciences, 28199 Bremen, Germany
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Institute
of Biology Valrose, Université Côte
d’Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Peter Fratzl
- Department
of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Luca Bertinetti
- Department
of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Yael Politi
- Department
of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of
Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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