Lignin nanoparticles can serve as biodegradable carriers of biocidal actives with minimal environmental footprint. Here we describe the colloidal synthesis and interfacial design tunable surface properties using two different lignin precursors, Kraft (Indulin AT) Organosolv (high-purity lignin). The green process is based on flash precipitation dissolved polymer, which enabled formation in size range 45-250 nm. evolution types particles fitted basis modified diffusive growth kinetics mass...

3D printing of polymers is accomplished easily with thermoplastics as the extruded hot melt solidifies rapidly during process. Printing liquid polymer precursors more challenging due to their longer curing times. One curable specific interest polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). This study demonstrates a new efficient technique for PDMS by using capillary suspension ink containing in form both precured microbeads and uncured precursor, dispersed water continuous medium. The are held together...

The interaction of the globular protein lysozyme with silica nanoparticles diameter 20 nm was studied in a pH range between isoelectric points (IEPs) and (pH 3-11). adsorption affinity capacity on particles is increasing progressively pH, adsorbed induces bridging aggregation particles. Structural properties aggregates were as function at fixed protein-to-silica concentration ratio which corresponds to surface well below complete monolayer complete-binding regime > 6. Sedimentation studies...

The adsorption of lysozyme and ß-lactoglobulin onto silica nanoparticles (diameter 21 nm) was studied in the pH range 2-11 at three different ionic strengths. Since two proteins have a widely isoelectric point (pI), electrostatic interactions with negative surface lead to dependence on pH. For (pI ≈ 11), level increases reaches value corresponding about close-packed monolayers = pI. In multilayer region near pI, added electrolyte causes decrease adsorption, which is attributed screening...

Field-directed colloidal assembly has shown remarkable recent progress in increasing the complexity, degree of control, and multiscale organization structures. This largely been achieved by using particles complex shapes polarizabilites (Janus, patchy, shaped, faceted). We review fundamentals interactions leading to directed such structures, ways simulate dynamics process, effect particle size, shape, properties on type structure obtained. discuss how directional polarization induced...

Sequence-encoded assembly of patchy magnetic microcubes enables making self-reconfiguring colloidal origami and “microbots.”

Abstract Active colloids are a class of microparticles that ‘swim’ through fluids by breaking the symmetry force distribution on their surfaces. Our ability to direct these particles along complex trajectories in three-dimensional (3D) space requires strategies encode desired forces and torques at single particle level. Here, we show spherical with metal patches low self-propel non-linear 3D when powered remotely an alternating current (AC) electric field. In particular, triangular...

The fate of 99% the plastics present in oceans is unknown. It presumed that biofilm formation on leads to their sinking ocean floor, thus making them undetectable at surface. While it established biofilms lead plastics, mechanism by which enhance vertical transport remains commonly assumed increase effective mass density drives sinking. Here, we show such an assumption not always true, and alone insufficient criterion predict or floating plastics. We study polyethylene microplastics presence...

Electric and magnetic fields have enabled both technological applications fundamental discoveries in the areas of bottom-up material synthesis, dynamic phase transitions, biophysics living matter. are versatile external sources energy that power assembly self-propulsion colloidal particles. In this Invited Feature Article, we classify mechanisms by which impact structure dynamics dispersions augment their nonequilibrium behavior. The paper is purposely intended to highlight similarities...

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, leading to a new form of plastic pollution crisis, which has reached an alarming level worldwide. Micron and nanoscale plastics may get integrated into ecological cycles with detrimental effects on various ecosystems. Commodity widely considered be chemically inert, alterations their surface properties due environmental weathering often overlooked. This lack knowledge dynamic changes chemistry (micro)plastics impeded life-cycle analysis...

As the complexity of polymer structure grows, so do challenges for developing an accurate understanding their structure-property relationships. Here, synthesis bottlebrush polymers with topologically precise and fully discrete structures is reported. A key feature strategy macromonomer libraries polymerization into bottlebrushes that can be separated (Đ = 1.0). system becomes more discrete, packing efficiency increases, distinct three-phase Langmuir-Blodgett isotherms are observed, its glass...

Atom‐ and energy‐efficient chemical separations are urgently needed to meet the surging demand for critical materials that has strained supply chains threatened environmental damage. In this study, we used reaction‐diffusion coupling separate iron, neodymium, dysprosium ions from model feedstocks of permanent magnets, which typically found in electronic wastes. Feedstock solutions were placed contact with a hydrogel loaded potassium hydroxide and/or dibutyl phosphate, resulting complex...

Charge-driven bridging of nanoparticles by macromolecules represents a promising route for engineering functional structures, but the strong electrostatic interactions involved when using conventional polyelectrolytes impart irreversible complexation and ill-defined structures. Recently it was found that interaction silica with small globular proteins leads to aggregate structures can be controlled pH. Here we study combined influence pH electrolyte concentration on aggregation lysozyme in...

Electromagnetic fields can generate orientation-dependent, long range interactions between colloidal components that direct their into highly ordered structures, such as small clusters, chains, and large crystalline lattices. While much effort has been devoted to exploring the assembly of spherical colloids, few reports have investigated directed non-spherical particles with Janus or patchy morphologies. Here, we use photolithographic techniques fabricate a wide anisotropically shaped follow...

Hydrogel composites that respond to stimuli can form the basis of new classes biomimetic actuators and soft robotic components. Common latex microspheres be assembled patterned by AC electric fields within a thermoresponsive hydrogel. The field-oriented particle chains act as endoskeletal structures, which guide macroscopic bending pattern actuators. As service our authors readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied authors. Such materials are peer reviewed may...

Synthetic amphiphiles used for managing large-scale oil spills have a toxic impact on the environment and marine life. Developing new spill recovery technologies is critical to minimize environmental ecological of such disasters. Here, we show that mixture lignin nanoparticles 1-pentanol forms biocompatible alternative nondegradable, synthetic recovery. The pentanol in generates initial Marangoni flow confines spilled into thick slick surface water. While alcohol solubilizes, irreversibly...

Suprastructures at the colloidal scale must be assembled with precise control over local interactions to accurately mimic biological complexes. The toughest design requirements include breaking symmetry of assembly in a simple and reversible fashion unlock functions properties so far limited living matter. We demonstrate experimental technique program magnetic field-induced between metallodielectric patchy particles isotropic, nonmagnetic "satellite" particles. By controlling connectivity,...

In this paper, we present an open-source machine learning (ML)-accelerated computational method to analyze small-angle scattering profiles [I(q) vs q] from concentrated macromolecular solutions simultaneously obtain the form factor P(q) (e.g., dimensions of a micelle) and structure S(q) spatial arrangement micelles) without relying on analytical models. This builds our recent work Computational Reverse-Engineering Analysis for Scattering Experiments (CREASE) that has either been applied...

Noncovalently cross‐linked networks are attractive hydrogel platforms because of their facile fabrication, dynamic behavior, and biocompatibility. The majority noncovalently hydrogels, however, exhibits poor mechanical properties, which significantly limit utility in load bearing applications. To address this limitation, hydrogels presented composed micelles created from genetically engineered, amphiphilic, elastin‐like polypeptides that contain a relatively large hydrophobic block...