Behavior and mechanics of dense microgel suspensions

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2008076117
• Publication Date: 2020-10-20T00:31:42Z
• Authors: Svetoslav V. Nikolov; Alberto Fernandez...; Alexander Alexeev
• Keywords: Suspension; Colloidal particle; Particle (ecology)

Significance Microgel suspensions are a fascinating class of soft materials comprising compliant colloidal particles that can deform, swell/deswell, and interpenetrate. Understanding the behavior microgels in dense guide design self-healing synthetic with novel mechanical properties facilitate development mechanistic models for biological tissues. We harness mesoscale computer simulations to probe fate during suspension compression show below space-filling deform slightly shrink, whereas above mostly shrink mildly Furthermore, despite markedly different responses associated changes particle density interparticle interactions, we mechanics always be rationalized using single-microgel bulk modulus, which thus arises as key descriptor suspension.