1
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Abalymov A, Pinchasik BE, Akasov RA, Lomova M, Parakhonskiy BV. Strategies for Anisotropic Fibrillar Hydrogels: Design, Cell Alignment, and Applications in Tissue Engineering. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:4532-4552. [PMID: 37812143 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Efficient cellular alignment in biomaterials presents a considerable challenge, demanding the refinement of appropriate material morphologies, while ensuring effective cell-surface interactions. To address this, biomaterials are continuously researched with diverse coatings, hydrogels, and polymeric surfaces. In this context, we investigate the influence of physicochemical parameters on the architecture of fibrillar hydrogels that significantly orient the topography of flexible hydrogel substrates, thereby fostering cellular adhesion and spatial organization. Our Review comprehensively assesses various techniques for aligning polymer fibrils within hydrogels, specifically interventions applied during and after the cross-linking process. These methodologies include mechanical strains, precise temperature modulation, controlled fluidic dynamics, and chemical modulators, as well as the use of magnetic and electric fields. We highlight the intrinsic appeal of these methodologies in fabricating cell-aligning interfaces and discuss their potential implications within the fields of biomaterials and tissue engineering, particularly concerning the pursuit of optimal cellular alignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatolii Abalymov
- Science Medical Center, Saratov State University, 410012 Saratov, Russia
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, 69978 Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Roman A Akasov
- Sechenov University and Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics" of Russian Academy of Sciences, 101000 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Lomova
- Science Medical Center, Saratov State University, 410012 Saratov, Russia
| | - Bogdan V Parakhonskiy
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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2
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Sammartino C, Shokef Y, Pinchasik BE. Percolation in Networks of Liquid Diodes. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:7697-7702. [PMID: 37606508 PMCID: PMC10476187 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Liquid diodes are surface structures that facilitate the spontaneous flow of liquids in a specific direction. In nature, they are used to increase water collection and uptake, reproduction, and feeding. However, large networks with directional properties are exceptional and are typically limited up to a few centimeters. Here, we simulate, design, and 3D print liquid diode networks consisting of hundreds of unit cells. We provide structural and wettability guidelines for directional transport of liquids through these networks and introduce percolation theory in order to identify the threshold between a connected network, which allows fluid to reach specific points, and a disconnected network. By constructing well-defined networks with uni- and bidirectional pathways, we experimentally demonstrate the applicability of models describing isotropically directed percolation. We accurately predict the network permeability and the liquid final state. These guidelines are highly promising for the development of structures for spontaneous, yet predictable, directional liquid transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Sammartino
- School
of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Yair Shokef
- School
of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center
for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center
for Computational Molecular and Materials Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- International
Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8511, Japan
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- School
of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center
for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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3
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Feldmann D, Pinchasik BE. The temperature dependent dynamics and periodicity of dropwise condensation on surfaces with wetting heterogeneities. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 644:146-156. [PMID: 37105038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.04.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Biphilic surfaces, namely surfaces comprising hydrophilic areas with a (super)hydrophobic background, are used in nature and engineering for controlled dropwise condensation and liquid transport. These, however, are highly dependent on the surface temperature and subcooling. EXPERIMENTS Here, biphilic surfaces were cooled inside a rotatable environmental chamber under controlled humidity. The condensation dynamics on the surface was quantified, depending on the subcooling, and compared to uniform superhydrophobic (USH) surfaces. Rates of condensation and transport were analyzed in terms of droplet number and size, covered area and fluid volume over several length scales. Specifically, from microscale condensation to macroscale droplet roll-off. FINDINGS Four phases of condensation were identified: a) initial nucleation, b) droplets on single patches, c) droplets covering adjacent patches and d) multi-patch droplets. Only the latter become mobile and roll off the surface. Cooling the surface to temperatures between T = 2-16 °C shows that lowering the temperature shortens some of the condensation parameters linearly, while others follow a power law, as expected from the theory of condensation. The temperature dependent condensation dynamics on (super)biphilic surfaces is faster in comparison to uniform superhydrophobic surfaces. Nevertheless, within time intervals of a few hours, droplets are mostly immobile. This sets guiding lines for using biphilic surfaces in applications such as water collection, heat transfer and separation processes. Generally, biphilic surfaces are suitable for applications in which fluids should be collected, concentrated and immobilized in specific areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Feldmann
- Tel Aviv University School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ramat Aviv 69978, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- Tel Aviv University School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ramat Aviv 69978, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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4
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Abstract
The female locust has a unique mechanism for digging in order to deposit its eggs deep in the ground. It uses two pairs of sclerotized valves to displace the granular matter, while extending its abdomen as it propagates underground. This ensures optimal conditions for the eggs to incubate and provides them with protection from predators. Here, the direction-dependent biomechanics of the locust's major, dorsal digging valves are quantified and analysed under forces in the physiological range and beyond, considering the hydration level as well as the females' sexual maturation state. Our findings reveal that the responses of the valves to compression forces in the digging and propagation directions change upon sexual maturation to follow their function and depend on environmental conditions. In addition, mature females, which lay eggs, have stiffer valves, up to approximately 19 times the stiffness of the pre-mature locusts. The valves are stiffer in the major working direction, corresponding to soil shuffling and compression, compared with the direction of propagation. Hydration of the valves reduces their stiffness but increases their resilience against failure. These findings provide mechanical and materials guidelines for the design of novel non-drilling burrowing tools, including three-dimensionally printed anisotropic materials based on composites
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Das
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Shmuel Gershon
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Benny Bar-On
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Maryam Tadayon
- Technische Universität Dresden, B CUBE-Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Dresden 01307, Germany.,Department of Biomaterials, Germany Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Amir Ayali
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Sagol School for Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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5
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Weinstein T, Gilon H, Filc O, Sammartino C, Pinchasik BE. Automated Manipulation of Miniature Objects Underwater Using Air Capillary Bridges: Pick-and-Place, Surface Cleaning, and Underwater Origami. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:9855-9863. [PMID: 35080367 PMCID: PMC8874901 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c23845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Various insects can entrap and stabilize air plastrons and bubbles underwater. When these bubbles interact with surfaces underwater, they create air capillary bridges that de-wet surfaces and even allow underwater reversible adhesion. In this study, a robotic arm with interchangeable three-dimensional (3D)-printed bubble-stabilizing units is used to create air capillary bridges underwater for manipulation of small objects. Particles of various sizes and shapes, thin sheets and substrates of diverse surface tensions, from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic, can be lifted, transported, placed, and oriented using one- or two-dimensional arrays of bubbles. Underwater adhesion, derived from the air capillary bridges, is quantified depending on the number, arrangement, and size of bubbles and the contact angle of the counter surface. This includes a variety of commercially available materials and chemically modified surfaces. Overall, it is possible to manipulate millimeter- to sub-millimeter-scale objects underwater. This includes cleaning submerged surfaces from colloids and arbitrary contaminations, folding thin sheets to create three-dimensional structures, and precisely placing and aligning objects of various geometries. The robotic underwater manipulator can be used for automation and control in cell culture experiments, lab-on-chip devices, and manipulation of objects underwater. It offers the ability to control the transport and release of small objects without the need for chemical adhesives, suction-based adhesion, anchoring devices, or grabbers.
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Abstract
The nature of adhesion of droplets to surfaces is a long pending scientific question. With the evolution of complex surfaces, quantification and prediction of these adhesion forces become intricate. Nevertheless, understanding these forces is highly relevant for explaining liquid transport in nature and establishing design guidelines for manmade interfaces. Here, it is shown that adhesion of droplets is highly sensitive to the direction of chemical heterogeneities, both in the static and dynamic regimes. This dependency is quantified by bending beam and droplet roll-off experiments. The shape of the fluid contact line on the microscale elucidates the origin of the direction-dependent adhesion. Namely, the droplet receding part pins to a higher number of patches when moving toward to the apex in comparison to the opposite direction. These findings improve the understanding of droplet adhesion to surfaces with chemical heterogeneities and directional transport phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Feldmann
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, 6997801 Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, 6997801 Tel-Aviv, Israel
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7
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Sudersan P, Kappl M, Pinchasik BE, Butt HJ, Endlein T. Wetting of the tarsal adhesive fluid determines underwater adhesion in ladybird beetles. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:jeb242852. [PMID: 34581416 PMCID: PMC8545753 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Many insects can climb smooth surfaces using hairy adhesive pads on their legs, mediated by tarsal fluid secretions. It was previously shown that a terrestrial beetle can even adhere and walk underwater. The naturally hydrophobic hairs trap an air bubble around the pads, allowing the hairs to make contact with the substrate as in air. However, it remained unclear to what extent such an air bubble is necessary for underwater adhesion. To investigate the role of the bubble, we measured the adhesive forces in individual legs of live but constrained ladybird beetles underwater in the presence and absence of a trapped bubble and compared these with its adhesion in air. Our experiments revealed that on a hydrophobic substrate, even without a bubble, the pads show adhesion comparable to that in air. On a hydrophilic substrate, underwater adhesion is significantly reduced, with or without a trapped bubble. We modelled the adhesion of a hairy pad using capillary forces. Coherent with our experiments, the model demonstrates that the wetting properties of the tarsal fluid alone can determine the ladybird beetles' adhesion to smooth surfaces in both air and underwater conditions and that an air bubble is not a prerequisite for their underwater adhesion. This study highlights how such a mediating fluid can serve as a potential strategy to achieve underwater adhesion via capillary forces, which could inspire artificial adhesives for underwater applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Sudersan
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Kappl
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 69978, Israel
| | - Hans-Jürgen Butt
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Endlein
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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8
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Pinchasik BE, Schönfeld F, Kappl M, Butt HJ. Bubbles nucleating on superhydrophobic micropillar arrays under flow. Soft Matter 2019; 15:8175-8183. [PMID: 31596303 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01224a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
When a supersaturated aqueous solution flows over a microstructured, hydrophobic surface, bubbles tend to nucleate. Here, we control heterogeneous nucleation of gas bubbles from supersaturated CO2 solution. By designing the shape, size, and arrangement of hydrophobic micropillars and by adjusting the flow we obtain uniform nucleation patterns. It is possible to selectively turn nucleation on and off. We use laser scanning confocal microscopy to resolve nucleation in early stages at the micropillar-substrate intersection. Numerical simulations show a correlation between minute pressure drops behind micropillars and nucleation sites. Bubbles nucleate uniformly behind pillars of the same size. The flow profile further contributes to the uniform growth of the bubbles. We control heterogeneous nucleation by varying micropillar geometry or size, flow direction and rate. While nucleation behind square pillars is independent of the flow direction, nucleation behind round micropillars is coupled with the direction. Nucleation behind triangular micropillars is bifurcated. These observations pave the way for the replenishment of the gas layer entrapped in between hydrophobic surface features, needed for superhydrophobicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bat-El Pinchasik
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany and Tel-Aviv University, School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
| | | | - Michael Kappl
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Butt
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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9
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Bao L, Pinchasik BE, Lei L, Xu Q, Hao H, Wang X, Zhang X. Control of Femtoliter Liquid on a Microlens: A Way to Flexible Dual-Microlens Arrays. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:27386-27393. [PMID: 31268287 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b06390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Microlens arrays are key elements for light management in optoelectronic devices. The recent advancement in the wearable intelligent electronics has driven the development of flexible microlenses. In this work, we show a controllable and scalable surface-droplet-based strategy to create unconventional flexible polymer microlens arrays. The technique is underpinned by the morphological transition of femtoliter liquid on the surface of a microlens surrounded by a planar area. We found that the droplet liquid wetted the rim of the microlens first and gradually moved upward to the microlens surface with an increase in the liquid volume. The morphology evolution of the droplet is in good agreement with the predication from our simulations based on the interfacial energy minimization under the condition of the pinned boundary. The shape of the droplet on the microlens is well controlled by the droplet volume, aspect ratio of the microlens, and the interfacial energy of the droplets on the microlens. As a result, the obtained structures of one microlens partially covered by a droplet can be produced in arrays over a large scale, serving as templates for fabricating transparent polymer double microlens arrays for improved light emission from the optoelectronic device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Bao
- School of Engineering , RMIT University , Melbourne , VIC 3001 , Australia
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- Department of Physics at Interfaces , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10 , 55128 Mainz , Germany
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering , Tel-Aviv University , Ramat Aviv , 69978 Tel-Aviv , Israel
| | - Lei Lei
- School of Engineering , RMIT University , Melbourne , VIC 3001 , Australia
- School of Civil Engineering , Xuzhou University of Technology , Xuzhou , Jiangsu Province 221000 , China
| | - Qiwei Xu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2V4 , Canada
| | - Hao Hao
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science , Swinburne University of Technology , Hawthorn , VIC 3122 , Australia
| | - Xihua Wang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2V4 , Canada
| | - Xuehua Zhang
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 1H9 , Canada
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10
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Papadopoulos P, Pinchasik BE, Tress M, Vollmer D, Kappl M, Butt HJ. Wetting of soft superhydrophobic micropillar arrays. Soft Matter 2018; 14:7429-7434. [PMID: 30183043 PMCID: PMC6192145 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01333k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Superhydrophobic surfaces are usually assumed to be rigid so that liquids do not deform them. Here we analyze how the relation between microstructure and wetting changes when the surface is flexible. Therefore we deposited liquid drops on arrays of flexible micropillars. We imaged the drop's surface and the bending of micropillars with confocal microscopy and analyzed the deflection of micropillars while the contact line advanced and receded. The deflection is directly proportional to the horizontal component of the capillary force acting on that particular micropillar. In the Cassie or "fakir" state, drops advance by touching down on the next top faces of micropillars, much like on rigid arrays. In contrast, on the receding side the micropillars deform. The main force hindering the slide of a drop is due to pinning at the receding side, while the force on the advancing side is negligible. In the Wenzel state, micropillars were deflected in both receding and advancing states.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martin Tress
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Doris Vollmer
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Michael Kappl
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany.
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11
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Xing Y, Gui X, Pan L, Pinchasik BE, Cao Y, Liu J, Kappl M, Butt HJ. Recent experimental advances for understanding bubble-particle attachment in flotation. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 246:105-132. [PMID: 28619381 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2017.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Bubble-particle interaction is of great theoretical and practical importance in flotation. Significant progress has been achieved over the past years and the process of bubble-particle collision is reasonably well understood. This, however, is not the case for bubble-particle attachment leading to three-phase contact line formation due to the difficulty in both theoretical analysis and experimental verification. For attachment, surface forces play a major role. They control the thinning and rupture of the liquid film between the bubble and the particle. The coupling between force, bubble deformation and film drainage is critical to understand the underlying mechanism responsible for bubble-particle attachment. In this review we first discuss the advances in macroscopic experimental methods for characterizing bubble-particle attachment such as induction timer and high speed visualization. Then we focus on advances in measuring the force and drainage of thin liquid films between an air bubble and a solid surface at a nanometer scale. Advances, limits, challenges, and future research opportunities are discussed. By combining atomic force microscopy and reflection interference contrast microscopy, the force, bubble deformation, and liquid film drainage can be measured simultaneously. The simultaneous measurement of the interaction force and the spatiotemporal evolution of the confined liquid film hold great promise to shed new light on flotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaowen Xing
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu, China; Chinese National Engineering Research Center of Coal Preparation and Purification, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu, China; Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Xiahui Gui
- Chinese National Engineering Research Center of Coal Preparation and Purification, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu, China; Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Lei Pan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton 49931, USA
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Yijun Cao
- Chinese National Engineering Research Center of Coal Preparation and Purification, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiongtian Liu
- Chinese National Engineering Research Center of Coal Preparation and Purification, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, Jiangsu, China
| | - Michael Kappl
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Hans-Jürgen Butt
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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12
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Abstract
Constructing controllable liquid patterns with high resolution and accuracy is of great importance in droplet depositions for a range of applications. Simple surface chemical micropatterns have been popularly used to regulate the shape of liquid droplets and the final structure of deposited materials. In this work, we study the morphological evolution of a dissolving femtoliter droplet pinned on multiple microdomains. On the basis of minimization of interfacial energy, the numerical simulations predict various symmetric droplet profiles in equilibrium at different liquid volumes. However, our experimental results show both symmetric and asymmetric shapes of droplets due to contact line pinning and symmetry breaking during droplet dissolution. Upon slow volume reduction, the deposited microdroplet arrays on one single type of simple surface prepatterns spontaneously morphed into a series of complex regular 3D shapes. The findings in this work offer insights into design and prepararion of the rich and complex morphology of liquid patterns via simple surface premicropatterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhua Peng
- Soft Matter & Interfaces Group, School of Engineering, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- Department of Physics at Interfaces, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Hao Hao
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Helmuth Möhwald
- Emeritus Group of Interfaces, Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam D14476, Germany
| | - Xuehua Zhang
- Soft Matter & Interfaces Group, School of Engineering, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
- Physics of Fluids Group, Department of Science and Engineering, Mesa+ Institute, and J. M. Burgers Centre for Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente , P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
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13
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Abstract
Designing materials for water harvesting has gained much attention in recent years as water scarcity continues to be one of the biggest problems facing mankind. In this issue of ACS Nano, Xu et al. propose a new device for harvesting water from fog. They use conically shaped copper wires with periodic roughness to enhance condensation and transport of water drops. While the periodic roughness enhances drop coalescence and motion, the conical shape of the wires guides the drops in a specific direction. Together, a self-sustained water-harvesting system is described which does not require additional external stimulus but makes use of a smart design and economic production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bat-El Pinchasik
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Kappl
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Butt
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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14
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Donatan S, Yashchenok A, Khan N, Parakhonskiy B, Cocquyt M, Pinchasik BE, Khalenkow D, Möhwald H, Konrad M, Skirtach A. Loading Capacity versus Enzyme Activity in Anisotropic and Spherical Calcium Carbonate Microparticles. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2016; 8:14284-92. [PMID: 27166641 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b03492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
A new method of fabrication of calcium carbonate microparticles of ellipsoidal, rhomboidal, and spherical geometries is reported by adjusting the relative concentration ratios of the initial salt solutions and/or the ethylene glycol content in the reaction medium. Morphology, porosity, crystallinity, and loading capacity of synthesized CaCO3 templates were characterized in detail. Particles harboring dextran or the enzyme guanylate kinase were obtained through encapsulation of these macromolecules using the layer-by-layer assembly technique to deposit positively and negatively charged polymers on these differently shaped CaCO3 templates and were characterized by confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy, fluorometric techniques, and enzyme activity measurements. The enzymatic activity, an important application of such porous particles and containers, has been analyzed in comparison with the loading capacity and geometry. Our results reveal that the particles' shape influences morphology of particles and that, as a result, affects the activity of the encapsulated enzymes, in addition to the earlier reported influence on cellular uptake. These particles are promising candidates for efficient drug delivery due to their relatively high loading capacity, biocompatibility, and easy fabrication and handling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senem Donatan
- Department of Interfaces, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam D-14476, Germany
| | - Alexey Yashchenok
- Department of Interfaces, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam D-14476, Germany
- Remote Controlled Theranostic Systems Lab, Institute of Nanostructres and Biosystems, Saratov State University , 410012 Saratov, Russia
| | - Nazimuddin Khan
- Enzyme Biochemistry Group, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry , Göttingen D-37077, Germany
| | - Bogdan Parakhonskiy
- A.V. Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography RAS , 119333 Moscow, Russia
- Remote Controlled Theranostic Systems Lab, Institute of Nanostructres and Biosystems, Saratov State University , 410012 Saratov, Russia
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, NB-Photonics Group, Ghent University , Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Melissa Cocquyt
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, NB-Photonics Group, Ghent University , Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- Department of Interfaces, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam D-14476, Germany
- Department of Physics at Interfaces, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Dmitry Khalenkow
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, NB-Photonics Group, Ghent University , Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Helmuth Möhwald
- Department of Interfaces, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam D-14476, Germany
| | - Manfred Konrad
- Enzyme Biochemistry Group, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry , Göttingen D-37077, Germany
| | - Andre Skirtach
- Department of Interfaces, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam D-14476, Germany
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, NB-Photonics Group, Ghent University , Ghent 9000, Belgium
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Stremersch S, Marro M, Pinchasik BE, Baatsen P, Hendrix A, De Smedt SC, Loza-Alvarez P, Skirtach AG, Raemdonck K, Braeckmans K. Identification of Individual Exosome-Like Vesicles by Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. Small 2016; 12:3292-301. [PMID: 27171437 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201600393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Exosome-like vesicles (ELVs) are a novel class of biomarkers that are receiving a lot of attention for the detection of cancer at an early stage. In this study the feasibility of using a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based method to distinguish between ELVs derived from different cellular origins is evaluated. A gold nanoparticle based shell is deposited on the surface of ELVs derived from cancerous and healthy cells, which enhances the Raman signal while maintaining a colloidal suspension of individual vesicles. This nanocoating allows the recording of SERS spectra from single vesicles. By using partial least squares discriminant analysis on the obtained spectra, vesicles from different origin can be distinguished, even when present in the same mixture. This proof-of-concept study paves the way for noninvasive (cancer) diagnostic tools based on exosomal SERS fingerprinting in combination with multivariate statistical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Stremersch
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Monica Marro
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss 3, 08860, Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bat-El Pinchasik
- Department of Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1 OT Golm, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Pieter Baatsen
- EM-facility EMoNe, VIB-KULeuven Bio Imaging Core and Center for Human Genetics, KULeuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Hendrix
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 900, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pablo Loza-Alvarez
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss 3, 08860, Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andre G Skirtach
- Department of Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1 OT Golm, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Nano- and Biophotonics, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kevin Braeckmans
- Centre for Nano- and Biophotonics, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
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16
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Pinchasik BE, Steinkühler J, Wuytens P, Skirtach AG, Fratzl P, Möhwald H. From Beetles in Nature to the Laboratory: Actuating Underwater Locomotion on Hydrophobic Surfaces. Langmuir 2015; 31:13734-13742. [PMID: 26633751 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b03821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The controlled wetting and dewetting of surfaces is a primary mechanism used by beetles in nature, such as the ladybird and the leaf beetle for underwater locomotion.1 Their adhesion to surfaces underwater is enabled through the attachment of bubbles trapped in their setae-covered legs. Locomotion, however, is performed by applying mechanical forces in order to move, attach, and detach the bubbles in a controlled manner. Under synthetic conditions, however, when a bubble is bound to a surface, it is nearly impossible to maneuver without the use of external stimuli. Thus, actuated wetting and dewetting of surfaces remain challenges. Here, electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) is used for the manipulation of bubble-particle complexes on unpatterned surfaces. Bubbles nucleate on catalytic Janus disks adjacent to a hydrophobic surface. By changing the wettability of the surface through electrowetting, the bubbles show a variety of reactions, depending on the shape and periodicity of the electrical signal. Time-resolved (μs) imaging of bubble radial oscillations reveals possible mechanisms for the lateral mobility of bubbles on a surface under electrowetting: bubble instability is induced when electric pulses are carefully adjusted. This instability is used to control the surface-bound bubble locomotion and is described in terms of the change in surface energy. It is shown that a deterministic force applied normal can lead to a random walk of micrometer-sized bubbles by exploiting the phenomenon of contact angle hysteresis. Finally, bubble use in nature for underwater locomotion and the actuated bubble locomotion presented in this study are compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bat-El Pinchasik
- Department of Biomaterials, ‡Department of Theory and Bio-systems, and ⊥Emeritus Group of Interfaces, Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam, D14476 Germany
- Photonics Research Group, IMEC, INTEC Department and ∥Department of Molecular Biotechnology and NB-Photonics, Ghent University , 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Steinkühler
- Department of Biomaterials, ‡Department of Theory and Bio-systems, and ⊥Emeritus Group of Interfaces, Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam, D14476 Germany
- Photonics Research Group, IMEC, INTEC Department and ∥Department of Molecular Biotechnology and NB-Photonics, Ghent University , 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Wuytens
- Department of Biomaterials, ‡Department of Theory and Bio-systems, and ⊥Emeritus Group of Interfaces, Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam, D14476 Germany
- Photonics Research Group, IMEC, INTEC Department and ∥Department of Molecular Biotechnology and NB-Photonics, Ghent University , 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andre G Skirtach
- Department of Biomaterials, ‡Department of Theory and Bio-systems, and ⊥Emeritus Group of Interfaces, Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam, D14476 Germany
- Photonics Research Group, IMEC, INTEC Department and ∥Department of Molecular Biotechnology and NB-Photonics, Ghent University , 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Fratzl
- Department of Biomaterials, ‡Department of Theory and Bio-systems, and ⊥Emeritus Group of Interfaces, Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam, D14476 Germany
- Photonics Research Group, IMEC, INTEC Department and ∥Department of Molecular Biotechnology and NB-Photonics, Ghent University , 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Helmuth Möhwald
- Department of Biomaterials, ‡Department of Theory and Bio-systems, and ⊥Emeritus Group of Interfaces, Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Golm/Potsdam, D14476 Germany
- Photonics Research Group, IMEC, INTEC Department and ∥Department of Molecular Biotechnology and NB-Photonics, Ghent University , 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Palankar R, Pinchasik BE, Khlebtsov BN, Kolesnikova TA, Möhwald H, Winterhalter M, Skirtach AG. Nanoplasmonically-induced defects in lipid membrane monitored by ion current: transient nanopores versus membrane rupture. Nano Lett 2014; 14:4273-4279. [PMID: 24961609 DOI: 10.1021/nl500907k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We have developed a nanoplasmonic-based approach to induce nanometer-sized local defects in the phospholipid membranes. Here, gold nanorods and nanoparticles having plasmon resonances in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range are used as optical absorption centers in the lipid membrane. Defects optically induced by NIR-laser irradiation of gold nanoparticles are continuously monitored by high-precision ion conductance measurement. Localized laser-mediated heating of nanorods and nanoparticle aggregates cause either (a) transient nanopores in lipid membranes or (b) irreversible rupture of the membrane. To monitor transient opening and closing, an electrophysiological setup is assembled wherein a giant liposome is spread over a micrometer hole in a glass slide forming a single bilayer of high Ohmic resistance (so-called gigaseal), while laser light is coupled in and focused on the membrane. The energy associated with the localized heating is discussed and compared with typical elastic parameters in the lipid membranes. The method presented here provides a novel methodology for better understanding of transport across artificial or natural biological membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghavendra Palankar
- ZIK HIKE, Nanostructure Group, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald , 17489 Greifswald, Germany
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Pinchasik BE, Möhwald H, Skirtach AG. Mimicking bubble use in nature: propulsion of Janus particles due to hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions. Small 2014; 10:2670-7. [PMID: 24664591 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201303571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Bubbles are widely used by animals in nature in order to fulfill important functions. They are used by animals in order to walk underwater or to stabilize themselves at the water/air interface. The main aim of this work is to imitate such phenomena, which is the essence of biomimetics. Here, bubbles are used to propel and to control the location of Janus particles in an aqueous medium. The synthesis of Janus SiO2-Ag and polystyrene-Ag (PS-Ag) particles through embedment in Parafilm is presented. The Janus particles, partially covered with catalytically active Ag nanoparticles, are redispersed in water and placed on a glass substrate. The active Ag sites are used for the splitting of H2O2 into water and oxygen. As a result, an oxygen bubble is formed on one side of the particle and promotes its propulsion. Once formed, the bubble-particle complex is stable and therefore, can be manipulated by tuning hydrophilic-hydrophobic interactions with the surface. In this way a transition between two- and three- dimensional motion is possible by changing the hydrophobicity of the substrate. Similar principles are used in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bat-El Pinchasik
- Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Interfaces, D14476, Germany
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Palankar R, Pinchasik BE, Schmidt S, De Geest BG, Fery A, Möhwald H, Skirtach AG, Delcea M. Mechanical strength and intracellular uptake of CaCO3-templated LbL capsules composed of biodegradable polyelectrolytes: the influence of the number of layers. J Mater Chem B 2013; 1:1175-1181. [DOI: 10.1039/c2tb00319h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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