Tunable hydrodynamics and restricted motions: probing dynamics and the mechanisms of self-organization in soft matter

可调流体动力学和受限运动：探测软物质的动力学和自组织机制

• 批准号: 312443-2013
• 负责人: Yethiraj, Anand
• 金额: $ 3.79万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=669316
• 关键词: Tunable; hydrodynamics; restricted; motions; probing

The relationship between microscopic structure and interactions, and macroscopic behaviour is central to almost all fields of science. In the colloidal domain, which is common to soft and biological materials, several length- and time-scales coexist and complex structures emerge from simple building blocks due to both pairwise electrostatic interactions and many-body hydrodynamic interactions. ** We will use soft materials - colloidal suspensions, surfactants, proteins - to construct nano- and micro-scale model systems with which to address fundamental questions in condensed matter physics. How coherent structures form is an important question: How do crystals grow? When does crystallization get arrested? In driven systems, incoherent structures such as clusters and clouds can also form. We will control entropic excluded volume interactions via packing fraction, and tune long-range electrostatic and hydrodynamic interactions. In doing so, we aim to better understand underlying mechanisms: how coherent and incoherent structures form, and eventually, how to approach the complexity of living organisms.** We use optical microscopies to study structure formation on the micrometer scale and nuclear magnetic resonance to study dynamics of nanoscale structures. Rheology measures stresses and strains in materials and is used to characterize macroscopic properties. Our strategy, which has been very fruitful thus far, is to create systems where the governing interactions can be controlled and varied via an external field.** Coherent micro-scale crystalline structures can be easily controlled with external forces, and can be used to make novel kinds of field responsive (or smart) materials. Making functional materials can be a very satisfying end point for a study of fundamental processes, as it can really test the degree to which we understand the basic physics. In other cases, however, where the discovery of a new material is serendipitous, and underlying mechanisms are unclear, application of a materials science approach can yield interesting new fundamental problems in condensed matter physics. This research program is designed to accommodate both eventualities.************

微观结构与相互作用与宏观行为之间的关系对于几乎所有科学领域都是至关重要的。在软和生物材料的常见的胶体结构域中，由于成对的静电相互作用和多体流体动力相互作用，几个长度和时间尺度共存和复杂的结构从简单的构建块中出现。 **我们将使用软材料 - 胶体悬浮液，表面活性剂，蛋白质 - 来构建纳米和微尺度模型系统，以解决凝结物理学中的基本问题。结构的形式如何是一个重要的问题：晶体如何生长？结晶何时被捕？ 在驱动的系统中，也可以形成不一致的结构，例如簇和云。我们将通过填充分数控制熵排除的体积相互作用，并调整长距离静电和水动力相互作用。为此，我们旨在更好地理解潜在的机制：如何形成一致性和不一致的结构，并最终如何处理生物的复杂性。流变学测量材料中的应力和菌株，用于表征宏观特性。到目前为止，我们的策略是非常富有成果的策略，是创建可以通过外部场来控制和不同的系统的系统。制作功能材料可能是研究基本过程的非常令人满意的终点，因为它可以真正测试我们了解基本物理学的程度。但是，在其他情况下，如果发现新材料是偶然性的，并且潜在的机制尚不清楚，那么材料科学方法的应用可能会在凝结物理学中产生有趣的新基本问题。该研究计划旨在适应这两种情况。************