A5049551915- Micro and Nano Robotics
- Pickering emulsions and particle stabilization
- Nanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies
- Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks
- Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies
- Polymer Surface Interaction Studies
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Material Dynamics and Properties
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Proteins in Food Systems
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
- Block Copolymer Self-Assembly
- Electrostatics and Colloid Interactions
- Diffusion and Search Dynamics
- Surfactants and Colloidal Systems
- Coagulation and Flocculation Studies
- Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamics
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Padova
2023-2025
University of Padua
2012-2025
Politecnico di Milano
2022-2024
University of Vienna
2016-2021
Austrian Economics Center
2020
National Interuniversity Consortium for the Physical Sciences of Matter
2012-2016
The last years have witnessed remarkable advances in our understanding of the emergence and consequences topological constraints biological soft matter. Examples are abundant relation to (bio)polymeric systems range from characterization knots single polymers proteins that whole chromosomes polymer melts. At same time, considerable been made description interplay between physical properties complex fluids, with development techniques now allow researchers control formation interaction...
We study the dynamics and conformation of polymers composed by active monomers. By means Brownian simulations we show that, when direction self-propulsion each monomer is aligned with backbone, polymer undergoes a coil-to-globulelike transition, highlighted marked change scaling exponent gyration radius. Concurrently, diffusion coefficient center mass becomes essentially independent size for sufficiently long or large magnitudes self-propulsion. These effects are reduced monomers not bound...
We investigate, using numerical simulations, the conformations of isolated active ring polymers. find that their behaviour depends crucially on size: short rings ($N \lesssim$ 100) are swelled whereas longer \gtrsim$ 200) collapse, at sufficiently high activity. By investigating non-equilibrium process leading to steady state, we a universal route driving both outcomes; highlight central role steric interactions, variance with linear chains, and topology conservation. further show collapsed...
We study isolated, partially active polymers, i.e. a fraction of the monomers are subject to tangential propulsion. show that, if contiguous, their position along chain sets conformation and dynamics polymer.
We present a generic coarse-grained model to describe molecular motors acting on polymer substrates, mimicking, for example, RNA polymerase DNA or kinesin microtubules.
Nano- to micro-sized particles with differently charged surface areas exhibit complex interaction patterns, characterized by both opposite-charge attraction and like-charge repulsion. While several successful models have been proposed in the literature describe directional attraction, accounting for repulsion are much less numerous often tailored specific microscopic systems. Here we present a simple versatile patchy model, where energy of pair is sum interactions between sites different...
In this work, we compare the structural and dynamic behavior of active filaments in two dimensions using tangential push–pull models, including a variant with passive end monomers, to bridge frameworks. These models serve as valuable frameworks for understanding self-organization biological polymers synthetic materials. At low activity, all exhibit similar behavior; activity increases, subtle differences emerge intermediate regimes, but at high their behaviors converge. Adjusting mean force...
Single-file diffusion is a ubiquitous physical process exploited by living and synthetic systems to exchange molecules with their environment. It paramount quantifying the escape time needed for single files of particles exit from constraining channels biological pores. This quantity depends on complex cooperative effects, whose predominance can only be established through strict comparison between theory experiments. By using colloidal particles, optical manipulation, microfluidics, digital...
Active particles may happen to be confined in channels so narrow that they cannot overtake each other (Single File conditions). This interesting situation reveals nontrivial physical features as a consequence of the strong inter-particle correlations developed collective rearrangements. We consider minimal model for active Brownian with aim studying modifications introduced by activity respect classical (passive) Single picture. Depending on whether their motion is dominated translational or...
We present a numerical/theoretical approach to efficiently evaluate the phase diagram of self-assembling DNA nanostars. Combining input information based on realistic coarse-grained potential with Wertheim association theory, we derive parameter-free thermodynamic description these systems. apply this method investigate behavior single components and mixtures nanostars different numbers sticky arms, elucidating role system functionality salt concentration. Specifically, propensity demix,...
In the present work, we study, by means of numerical simulations, structural and dynamical behavior a suspension active ring polymers in bulk under lateral confinement. At high activity, when changing distance between confining planes polymers' density, identify emergence self-organized state, characterized coexistence slowly diffusing clusters rotating disks faster rings moving them. We further assess that self-organization is robust range polymer sizes, critical value necessary to trigger...
We derive an effective Rouse model for tangentially active polymers, characterised by a constant force tangent to their backbone. In particular, we show that, once extended account finite bending rigidity, such captures the reduction in gyration radius, or coil-to-globule-like transition, that has been observed numerically literature filaments. Interestingly, our analysis identifies proper definition of Peclet number, allows collapse all numerical data onto master curve.
We present an in-depth multiscale analysis of the conformations and dynamics polar active polymers, comparing very dilute dense conditions. unveil characteristic length time scales, common to both systems, that recapitulate conformational dynamical properties these polymers upon varying polymer size strength activity. Specifically, we find a correlation (or looping) characterizes monomer dynamics. Instead, center mass can be fully characterized by end-to-end mean-square distance associated...
We report the results of comprehensive experiments and numerical calculations interfacial morphologies water confined to hydrophilic top face rectangular posts width W = 500 μm lengths between L 5W 30W. A continuous evolution shape from a homogeneous liquid filament bulged back is observed during changes in volume. Above certain threshold length L* 16.0W, transition two discontinuous bistability shapes interval reduced volume V/W(3).
We investigate the conformations and shapes of circular polymers close to planar, hard walls as well ensuing ring–wall polymer-induced wall–wall interactions in ring polymer solutions. derive, by means Monte Carlo simulations, effective interaction potential between centres mass flexible, unknotted a wall for different polymerisation degrees N. Adopting coarse-grained description ultrasoft, penetrable spheres, mean-field density functional theory is then employed order examine solutions...
Polymers confined in corrugated channels, i.e., channels of varying amplitude, display multiple local maxima and minima the diffusion coefficient upon increasing their degree polymerization N. We propose a theoretical effective free energy for linear polymers based on Fick-Jacobs approach. validate predictions against numerical data, obtaining quantitative agreement energy, coefficient, mean first passage time. Finally, we employ to compute polymer lengths N_{min} at which presents minimum:...
Abstract Cyanobacteria are key contributors to biogeochemical cycles through photosynthesis and carbon fixation. In filamentous, multicellular cyanobacteria these functions can be influenced gliding motility, which enables filaments localise in response light also form aggregates. Here, we use the aggregate forming species Fluctiforma draycotensis study motility dynamics detail. We find that move curved straight trajectories interspersed with re-orientation or reversal of direction. Most...
We present an in-depth multi-scale analysis of the conformations and dynamics polar active polymers, comparing very dilute dense conditions. unveil characteristic length time scales, common to both systems, that recapitulate conformational dynamical properties these polymers upon varying polymer size strength activity. Specifically, we find a correlation (or looping) characterises monomer dynamics. Instead, center mass can be fully characterised by end-to-end mean-square distance associated...
We derive an effective Rouse model for tangentially active polymers, characterized by a constant force tangent to their backbone. In particular, we show that, once extended account finite bending rigidity, such captures the reduction in gyration radius, or coil-to-globule-like transition, that has been observed numerically literature filaments. Interestingly, our analysis identifies proper definition of Peclet number, allows collapse all numerical data onto master curve.
Cyanobacteria are key contributors to biogeochemical cycles through photosynthesis and carbon fixation. In filamentous, multicellular cyanobacteria these functions can be influenced gliding motility, which enables filaments localise in response light also form aggregates. Here, we use the aggregate forming species Fluctiforma draycotensis study motility dynamics detail. We find that move curved straight trajectories interspersed with re-orientation or reversal of direction. Most reversals...
Cyanobacteria are key contributors to biogeochemical cycles through photosynthesis and carbon fixation. In filamentous, multicellular cyanobacteria these functions can be influenced gliding motility, which enables filaments localise in response light also form aggregates. Here, we use the aggregate forming species Fluctiforma draycotensis study motility dynamics detail. We find that move curved straight trajectories interspersed with re-orientation or reversal of direction. Most reversals...
Soft nanocomposites represent both a theoretical and an experimental challenge due to the high number of microscopic constituents that strongly influence behaviour systems. An effective description such systems invokes reduction degrees freedom be analysed, hence requiring introduction efficient, quantitative, coarse-grained description. We here report on novel coarse graining approach based set transferable potentials quantitatively reproduces properties mixtures linear star-shaped...
We study the behavior of negatively charged colloids with two positively polar caps close to a planar patterned surface.
Molecular building blocks undergoing a hierarchical assembly process form nano-scale objects which can further assemble into supramolecular structures. When the intermediate units have limited valence in bonding, complex structures with tailored properties be created. Here, we consider composite, star-shaped particle made of f diblock copolymer chains uniformly grafted on spherical colloid and investigate its first self-assembly stage both bulk under lateral confinement. By means numerical...