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Furuki T, Sakuta H, Yanagisawa N, Tabuchi S, Kamo A, Shimamoto DS, Yanagisawa M. Marangoni Droplets of Dextran in PEG Solution and Its Motile Change Due to Coil-Globule Transition of Coexisting DNA. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:43016-43025. [PMID: 39088740 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c09362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Motile droplets using Marangoni convection are attracting attention for their potential as cell-mimicking small robots. However, the motion of droplets relative to the internal and external environments that generate Marangoni convection has not been quantitatively described. In this study, we used an aqueous two-phase system [poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and dextran] in an elongated chamber to generate motile dextran droplets in a constant PEG concentration gradient. We demonstrated that dextran droplets move by Marangoni convection, resulting from the PEG concentration gradient and the active transport of PEG and dextran into and out of the motile dextran droplet. Furthermore, by spontaneously incorporating long DNA into the dextran droplets, we achieved cell-like motility changes controlled by coexisting environment-sensing molecules. The DNA changes its position within the droplet and motile speed in response to external conditions. In the presence of Mg2+, the coil-globule transition of DNA inside the droplet accelerates the motile speed due to the decrease in the droplet's dynamic viscosity. Globule DNA condenses at the rear part of the droplet along the convection, while coil DNA moves away from the droplet's central axis, separating the dipole convections. These results provide a blueprint for designing autonomous small robots using phase-separated droplets, which change the mobility and molecular distribution within the droplet in reaction with the environment. It will also open unexplored areas of self-assembly mechanisms through phase separation under convections, such as intracellular phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Furuki
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan
- Department of Integrated Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sakuta
- Komaba Institute for Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
- Center for Complex Systems Biology, Universal Biology Institute, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Naoya Yanagisawa
- Komaba Institute for Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Shingo Tabuchi
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Akari Kamo
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Daisuke S Shimamoto
- Komaba Institute for Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Miho Yanagisawa
- Department of Integrated Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
- Komaba Institute for Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
- Center for Complex Systems Biology, Universal Biology Institute, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Gauri HM, Patel R, Lombardo NS, Bevan MA, Bharti B. Field-Directed Motion, Cargo Capture, and Closed-Loop Controlled Navigation of Microellipsoids. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2403007. [PMID: 39126239 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Microrobots have the potential for diverse applications, including targeted drug delivery and minimally invasive surgery. Despite advancements in microrobot design and actuation strategies, achieving precise control over their motion remains challenging due to the dominance of viscous drag, system disturbances, physicochemical heterogeneities, and stochastic Brownian forces. Here, a precise control over the interfacial motion of model microellipsoids is demonstrated using time-varying rotating magnetic fields. The impacts of microellipsoid aspect ratio, field characteristics, and magnetic properties of the medium and the particle on the motion are investigated. The role of mobile micro-vortices generated is highlighted by rotating microellipsoids in capturing, transporting, and releasing cargo objects. Furthermore, an approach is presented for controlled navigation through mazes based on real-time particle and obstacle sensing, path planning, and magnetic field actuation without human intervention. The study introduces a mechanism of directing motion of microparticles using rotating magnetic fields, and a control scheme for precise navigation and delivery of micron-sized cargo using simple microellipsoids as microbots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hashir M Gauri
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Ruchi Patel
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Nicholas S Lombardo
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Michael A Bevan
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Bhuvnesh Bharti
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
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3
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Cheng W, Zhang W, Tao J, Zheng F, Chu B, Wang R, Fang C, Huai L, Tao P, Song C, Shang W, Fu B, Deng T. Octopus-like Microstructure of Graphene Oxide Generated through Laser-Microdroplet Interaction for Adhesive Coating. ACS NANO 2024; 18:7877-7889. [PMID: 38450636 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c08635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The octopus, as one of the most famous celebrities in bionics, has provided various inspirations for camouflage materials, soft-bodied robots, and flexible grabbers. The miniaturization of such structures will help the development of microrobots, microdelivery of drugs, and surface coating. With the lack of relevant effective preparation approaches, however, the generation of such octopus-like structures with a size of ∼1 μm or below is challenging. Here, we develop an approach based on laser-microdroplet interaction for generating an octopus-like structure with a size of ∼1 μm. The developed approach uses laser-microdroplet interaction to provide a large driving force of ∼107 Pa at a confined space (<1 μm), locally crumpling the precursor in the microdroplet. The locally crumpled particles possess both crumpled and uncrumpled structures that resemble an octopus's head and soft body. In the adhesion test, the octopus-like particles exhibit high adhesive properties in air, in water, and on a flexible substrate. In the electrochemical test, the octopus-like particles on flexible electrodes show good electrochemical and adhesive properties under hundreds of bending cycles. Benefiting from the combination of crumpled and uncrumpled morphologies, the created particles with octopus-like microstructure are demonstrated to possess comprehensive performance, exhibiting wide application potentials in the fields of microswimmers, surface coatings, and electrochemistry. Additionally, the method developed in this work has the advantages of concentrated energy in a confined space, displaying prospective potentials in micro- and nanoprocessing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizheng Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinran Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Feiyu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Ben Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruitong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Huai
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengyi Song
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Benwei Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
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Dong H, Lin J, Tao Y, Jia Y, Sun L, Li WJ, Sun H. AI-enhanced biomedical micro/nanorobots in microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1419-1440. [PMID: 38174821 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00909b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Human beings encompass sophisticated microcirculation and microenvironments, incorporating a broad spectrum of microfluidic systems that adopt fundamental roles in orchestrating physiological mechanisms. In vitro recapitulation of human microenvironments based on lab-on-a-chip technology represents a critical paradigm to better understand the intricate mechanisms. Moreover, the advent of micro/nanorobotics provides brand new perspectives and dynamic tools for elucidating the complex process in microfluidics. Currently, artificial intelligence (AI) has endowed micro/nanorobots (MNRs) with unprecedented benefits, such as material synthesis, optimal design, fabrication, and swarm behavior. Using advanced AI algorithms, the motion control, environment perception, and swarm intelligence of MNRs in microfluidics are significantly enhanced. This emerging interdisciplinary research trend holds great potential to propel biomedical research to the forefront and make valuable contributions to human health. Herein, we initially introduce the AI algorithms integral to the development of MNRs. We briefly revisit the components, designs, and fabrication techniques adopted by robots in microfluidics with an emphasis on the application of AI. Then, we review the latest research pertinent to AI-enhanced MNRs, focusing on their motion control, sensing abilities, and intricate collective behavior in microfluidics. Furthermore, we spotlight biomedical domains that are already witnessing or will undergo game-changing evolution based on AI-enhanced MNRs. Finally, we identify the current challenges that hinder the practical use of the pioneering interdisciplinary technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Dong
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China.
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Jiawen Lin
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Yihui Tao
- Department of Automation Control and System Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Yuan Jia
- Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lining Sun
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Wen Jung Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hao Sun
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China.
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- Research Center of Aerospace Mechanism and Control, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
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Kim SJ, Kos Ž, Um E, Jeong J. Symmetrically pulsating bubbles swim in an anisotropic fluid by nematodynamics. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1220. [PMID: 38336842 PMCID: PMC10858235 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45597-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Swimming in low-Reynolds-number fluids requires the breaking of time-reversal symmetry and centrosymmetry. Microswimmers, often with asymmetric shapes, exhibit nonreciprocal motions or exploit nonequilibrium processes to propel. The role of the surrounding fluid has also attracted attention because viscoelastic, non-Newtonian, and anisotropic properties of fluids matter in propulsion efficiency and navigation. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that anisotropic fluids, nematic liquid crystals (NLC), can make a pulsating spherical bubble swim despite its centrosymmetric shape and time-symmetric motion. The NLC breaks the centrosymmetry by a deformed nematic director field with a topological defect accompanying the bubble. The nematodynamics renders the nonreciprocity in the pulsation-induced fluid flow. We also report speed enhancement by confinement and the propulsion of another symmetry-broken bubble dressed by a bent disclination. Our experiments and theory propose another possible mechanism of moving bodies in complex fluids by spatiotemporal symmetry breaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Jo Kim
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Žiga Kos
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan
| | - Eujin Um
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonwoo Jeong
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
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O'Callaghan JA, Lee D, Hammer DA. Asymmetry-Enhanced Motion of Urease-Powered Micromotors from Double Emulsion-Templated Microcapsules. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37902731 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Autonomous motion of enzyme-powered motors has important implications for drug delivery, cell-cell communication, and protocell engineering. Although many of these systems are inspired by the motion of biological cells, most of them lack key structural features, like micrometer-sized boundaries and aqueous compartments, and rely on bubble propulsion to generation motion. In this study, we use droplet microfluidics to generate large populations of cell-sized microcapsules with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) shells and functionalize their surfaces with the enzyme urease to drive their motion. We adjust the number of surface functional groups for urease conjugation by preparing microcapsules with two different surfactants, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (PEMA). We also tune the surface roughness of the microcapsules by varying the concentration of silica nanoparticles in the droplet middle phase. We find that PEMA plays a crucial role in increasing the grafting density of urease on the surface of smooth microcapsules, leading to active motion in the presence of urea. In addition, rough microcapsules prepared with PEMA and loaded with comparable amounts of urease move up to three times faster than their smooth counterparts, which we believe is due to an asymmetric distribution of urease on the surface, giving rise to a preferred direction of motion. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the role that various stabilizing agents play in the induction of motion by enzymatic motors prepared from microfluidics, which is a potentially powerful tool for future preparation of motile protocells in biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ann O'Callaghan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Daniel A Hammer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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7
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Daddi-Moussa-Ider A, Golestanian R, Vilfan A. Minimum entropy production by microswimmers with internal dissipation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6060. [PMID: 37770449 PMCID: PMC10539332 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41280-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The energy dissipation and entropy production by self-propelled microswimmers differ profoundly from passive particles pulled by external forces. The difference extends both to the shape of the flow around the swimmer, as well as to the internal dissipation of the propulsion mechanism. Here we derive a general theorem that provides an exact lower bound on the total, external and internal, dissipation by a microswimmer. The problems that can be solved include an active surface-propelled droplet, swimmers with an extended propulsive layer and swimmers with an effective internal dissipation. We apply the theorem to determine the swimmer shapes that minimize the total dissipation while keeping the volume constant. Our results show that the entropy production by active microswimmers is subject to different fundamental limits than the entropy production by externally driven particles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ramin Golestanian
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS), 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - Andrej Vilfan
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS), 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Wang Z, Chen T, Li X, Guo B, Liu P, Zhu Z, Xu RX. Oxygen-releasing biomaterials for regenerative medicine. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:7300-7320. [PMID: 37427691 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb00670k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen is critical to the survival, function and fate of mammalian cells. Oxygen tension controls cellular behavior through metabolic programming, which in turn controls tissue regeneration. A variety of biomaterials with oxygen-releasing capabilities have been developed to provide oxygen supply to ensure cell survival and differentiation for therapeutic efficacy, and to prevent hypoxia-induced tissue damage and cell death. However, controlling the oxygen release with spatial and temporal accuracy is still technically challenging. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of organic and inorganic materials available as oxygen sources, including hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), photosynthetic organisms, solid and liquid peroxides, and some of the latest materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Additionally, we introduce the corresponding carrier materials and the oxygen production methods and present state-of-the-art applications and breakthroughs of oxygen-releasing materials. Furthermore, we discuss the current challenges and the future perspectives in the field. After reviewing the recent progress and the future perspectives of oxygen-releasing materials, we predict that smart material systems that combine precise detection of oxygenation and adaptive control of oxygen delivery will be the future trend for oxygen-releasing materials in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojun Wang
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Tianao Chen
- Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Xin Li
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Buyun Guo
- Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Zhu
- Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Ronald X Xu
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215000, China.
- Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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9
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Araújo NAM, Janssen LMC, Barois T, Boffetta G, Cohen I, Corbetta A, Dauchot O, Dijkstra M, Durham WM, Dussutour A, Garnier S, Gelderblom H, Golestanian R, Isa L, Koenderink GH, Löwen H, Metzler R, Polin M, Royall CP, Šarić A, Sengupta A, Sykes C, Trianni V, Tuval I, Vogel N, Yeomans JM, Zuriguel I, Marin A, Volpe G. Steering self-organisation through confinement. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:1695-1704. [PMID: 36779972 PMCID: PMC9977364 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01562e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Self-organisation is the spontaneous emergence of spatio-temporal structures and patterns from the interaction of smaller individual units. Examples are found across many scales in very different systems and scientific disciplines, from physics, materials science and robotics to biology, geophysics and astronomy. Recent research has highlighted how self-organisation can be both mediated and controlled by confinement. Confinement is an action over a system that limits its units' translational and rotational degrees of freedom, thus also influencing the system's phase space probability density; it can function as either a catalyst or inhibitor of self-organisation. Confinement can then become a means to actively steer the emergence or suppression of collective phenomena in space and time. Here, to provide a common framework and perspective for future research, we examine the role of confinement in the self-organisation of soft-matter systems and identify overarching scientific challenges that need to be addressed to harness its full scientific and technological potential in soft matter and related fields. By drawing analogies with other disciplines, this framework will accelerate a common deeper understanding of self-organisation and trigger the development of innovative strategies to steer it using confinement, with impact on, e.g., the design of smarter materials, tissue engineering for biomedicine and in guiding active matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno A M Araújo
- Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal.
- Centro de Física Teórica e Computacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Liesbeth M C Janssen
- Department of Applied Physics and Science Education, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Barois
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, LOMA, UMR 5798, F-33400, Talence, France
| | - Guido Boffetta
- Department of Physics and INFN, University of Torino, via Pietro Giuria 1, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Itai Cohen
- Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Laboratory of Atomic and Solid-State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Alessandro Corbetta
- Department of Applied Physics and Science Education, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Olivier Dauchot
- Gulliver UMR CNRS 7083, ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Marjolein Dijkstra
- Soft condensed matter, Department of Physics, Debye institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 1, 3584 CC, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - William M Durham
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, UK
| | - Audrey Dussutour
- Research Centre on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), Toulouse University, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, 31062, AD, France
| | - Simon Garnier
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Hanneke Gelderblom
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Applied Physics and J. M. Burgers Center for Fluid Dynamics, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ramin Golestanian
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS), 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - Lucio Isa
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gijsje H Koenderink
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Hartmut Löwen
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ralf Metzler
- Institute of Physics & Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str 24/25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Marco Polin
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, IMEDEA UIB-CSIC, C/Miquel Marqués 21, 07190, Esporles, Spain
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill road, CV4 7AL, Coventry, UK
| | - C Patrick Royall
- Gulliver UMR CNRS 7083, ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Anđela Šarić
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, 3400, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Anupam Sengupta
- Physics of Living Matter, Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, 162 A, Avenue de la Faïencerie, L-1511, Luxembourg
| | - Cécile Sykes
- Laboratoire de Physique de lÉcole normale supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Vito Trianni
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Via San Martino della Battaglia 44, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Idan Tuval
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, IMEDEA UIB-CSIC, C/Miquel Marqués 21, 07190, Esporles, Spain
| | - Nicolas Vogel
- Institute of Particle Technology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstrasse 4, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia M Yeomans
- Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - Iker Zuriguel
- Departamento de Física y Matemática Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alvaro Marin
- Physics of Fluids Group, Mesa+ Institute, Max Planck Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics and J. M. Burgers Center for Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, 7500AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.
| | - Giorgio Volpe
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK.
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10
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Abstract
In the last 20 years, active matter has been a highly dynamic field of research, bridging fundamental aspects of non-equilibrium thermodynamics with applications to biology, robotics, and nano-medicine. Active matter systems are composed of units that can harvest and harness energy and information from their environment to generate complex collective behaviours and forms of self-organisation. On Earth, gravity-driven phenomena (such as sedimentation and convection) often dominate or conceal the emergence of these dynamics, especially for soft active matter systems where typical interactions are of the order of the thermal energy. In this review, we explore the ongoing and future efforts to study active matter in space, where low-gravity and microgravity conditions can lift some of these limitations. We envision that these studies will help unify our understanding of active matter systems and, more generally, of far-from-equilibrium physics both on Earth and in space. Furthermore, they will also provide guidance on how to use, process and manufacture active materials for space exploration and colonisation.
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Arnaboldi S, Salinas G, Bonetti G, Garrigue P, Cirilli R, Benincori T, Kuhn A. Autonomous Chiral Microswimmers with Self‐mixing Capabilities for Highly Efficient Enantioselective Synthesis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202209098. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202209098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Serena Arnaboldi
- Univ. Bordeaux CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM UMR 5255 33607 Pessac France
- Dip. Di Chimica Univ. degli Studi di Milano 20133 Milan Italy
| | - Gerardo Salinas
- Univ. Bordeaux CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM UMR 5255 33607 Pessac France
| | - Giorgia Bonetti
- Dip. di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia Univ. degli Studi dell'Insubria 22100 Como Italy
| | - Patrick Garrigue
- Univ. Bordeaux CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM UMR 5255 33607 Pessac France
| | - Roberto Cirilli
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità Centro Nazionale per il Controllo e la Valutazione dei Farmaci 00161 Rome Italy
| | - Tiziana Benincori
- Dip. di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia Univ. degli Studi dell'Insubria 22100 Como Italy
| | - Alexander Kuhn
- Univ. Bordeaux CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM UMR 5255 33607 Pessac France
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Arnaboldi S, Salinas G, Bonetti G, Garrigue P, Cirilli R, Benincori T, Kuhn A. Autonomous Chiral Microswimmers with Self‐mixing Capabilities for Highly Efficient Enantioselective Synthesis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202209098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Serena Arnaboldi
- University of Milan–Bicocca: Universita degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca Di Chimica ITALY
| | - Gerardo Salinas
- University of Bordeaux: Universite de Bordeaux Institute of Molecular Science FRANCE
| | - Giorgia Bonetti
- Insubria University - Como Campus: Universita degli Studi dell'Insubria - Sede di Como di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia ITALY
| | - Patrick Garrigue
- University of Bordeaux: Universite de Bordeaux Institute of Molecular Science FRANCE
| | - Roberto Cirilli
- Instituto superiore di santa Centro nazionale per il controlo e la valutazione dei Farmaci ITALY
| | - Tiziana Benincori
- Insubria University - Como Campus: Universita degli Studi dell'Insubria - Sede di Como di chimica ITALY
| | - Alexander Kuhn
- Bordeaux INP Chemistry ENSCBP 16 avenue Pey Berland 33607 Pessac FRANCE
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Zhang Q, Liu J, Wu Y. Enzyme Cascade Reaction Propelled Multicompartmental Colloidal Motors. Chem Asian J 2022; 17:e202200560. [PMID: 35761116 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202200560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is a crucial natural methodology to enable multiple biocatalytic transformations to proceed efficiently. Herein, we report a biocompatible multicompartmental colloidal motor that can achieve autonomous movement in the biological environment through two-enzyme cascade reactions of immobilized enzymes. The colloidal motors with the heterogeneous multicompartment structure were prepared in one step by microfluidic technology, and the compartmentalized encapsulation of glucose oxidase (GOD) and catalase (CAT) was realized. The fabricated colloidal motor was size controllable by tuning the flow rates of the microfluidic system, and its autonomous movement can be triggered by good responsiveness to the alkaline environment. In glucose medium of pH 7.5, the pH-responsive alginate cores of the colloidal motor swell to facilitate fuel penetration and enzyme-catalyzed reactions. The enzyme cascade between GOD and CAT immobilized in the colloidal motor chamber results in the self-propulsion of the colloid motor in glucose medium. The compartmentalized encapsulation of immobilized enzyme improves the stability of the enzyme and enables multicompartmental colloidal motors to self-propel in an alkaline intestinal environment through an enzyme cascade reaction. These features indicate that such multicompartmental colloidal motors actuated by enzyme cascade reaction in biocompatible fuel have great potential for co-encapsulation and autonomous movement in different applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihan Zhang
- Harbin Institute of Technology, School of Medicine and Health, CHINA
| | - Jun Liu
- Harbin Institute of Technology, School of Medicine and Health, CHINA
| | - Yingjie Wu
- Harbin Institute of Technology, School of Medicine and Health, No. 92 XiDaZhi Street, 150001, Harbin, CHINA
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Xiao Z, Nsamela A, Garlan B, Simmchen J. A Platform for Stop‐Flow Gradient Generation to Investigate Chemotaxis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202117768. [PMID: 35156269 PMCID: PMC9401050 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202117768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The ability of artificial microswimmers to respond to external stimuli and the mechanistical details of their origins belong to the most disputed challenges in interdisciplinary science. Therein, the creation of chemical gradients is technically challenging, because they quickly level out due to diffusion. Inspired by pivotal stopped flow experiments in chemical kinetics, we show that microfluidics gradient generation combined with a pressure feedback loop for precisely controlling the stop of the flows, can enable us to study mechanistical details of chemotaxis of artificial Janus micromotors, based on a catalytic reaction. We find that these copper Janus particles display a chemotactic motion along the concentration gradient in both, positive and negative direction and we demonstrate the mechanical reaction of the particles to unbalanced drag forces, explaining this behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuyao Xiao
- Chair of Physical Chemistry TU Dresden 01062 Dresden Germany
| | - Audrey Nsamela
- Chair of Physical Chemistry TU Dresden 01062 Dresden Germany
- Elvesys SAS Rue de Charonne 172 75011 Paris France
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Xiao Z, Nsamela A, Garlan B, Simmchen J. Entwicklung einer Plattform zur Generierung von Stop‐Flow‐Gradienten zur Untersuchung von Chemotaxis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202117768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zuyao Xiao
- Chair of Physical Chemistry TU Dresden 01062 Dresden Germany
| | - Audrey Nsamela
- Chair of Physical Chemistry TU Dresden 01062 Dresden Germany
- Elvesys SAS Rue de Charonne 172 75011 Paris France
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