Interface initiation and propagation in liquid demixing with electric fields.

We investigate the dynamics of liquid-liquid phase separation confined in a charged concentric cylindrical geometry. Two main time scales characterize the non-equilibrium interface behavior: (1) the lag time t(L) for forming an interface, and (2) the relaxation time to equilibrium. We find that t(L) increases as parameters (temperature, bulk composition, and surface charge) approach the electrostatic spinodal line in the phase diagram.

Phase separation dynamics of simple liquids in non-uniform electric fields.

Spatially non-uniform electric fields can phase separate initially homogeneous mixtures of liquids. Here, we investigate the dynamics of phase separation using a modified Cahn-Hilliard equation and find three kinetically distinct regimes in the phase diagram: (1) discontinuous and (2) continuous interface formation kinetics and (3) a metastable state. By considering all possible solutions of the free energy density, we are able to map the time behavior in the vicinity of the interface as a series of equilibrium interfaces "moving" in the parameter space of the equilibrium phase diagram.

Mixing-demixing phase diagram for simple liquids in nonuniform electric fields.

We deduce the mixing-demixing phase diagram for binary liquid mixtures in an electric field for various electrode geometries and arbitrary constitutive relation for the dielectric constant. By focusing on the behavior of the liquid-liquid interface, we produce simple analytic expressions for the dependence of the interface location on experimental parameters. We also show that the phase diagram contains regions where liquid separation cannot occur under any applied field.

Nematic order in small systems: measuring the elastic and wall-anchoring constants in vibrofluidized granular rods.

We investigate nematic order in vibrated granular rods confined to a small quasi-2D container less than 10 rod lengths in diameter. As rod density ρ increases, patterning shifts from bipolar to uniform alignment. We find that a continuum liquid crystal free energy functional captures key patterning features down to almost the particle size.

Depletion forces drive polymer-like self-assembly in vibrofluidized granular materials.

Ranging from nano- to granular-scales, control of particle assembly can be achieved by limiting the available free space, for example by increasing the concentration of particles ("crowding") or through their restriction to 2D environments. It is unclear, however, if self-assembly principles governing thermally-equilibrated molecules can also apply to mechanically-excited macroscopic particles in non-equilibrium steady-state. Here we show that low densities of vibrofluidized steel rods, when crowded by high densities of spheres and confined to quasi-2D planes, can self-assemble into linear polymer-like structures.

Spontaneous patterning of confined granular rods.

Vertically vibrated rod-shaped granular materials confined to quasi-2D containers self-organize into distinct patterns. We find, consistent with theory and simulation, a density dependent isotropic-nematic transition. Along the walls, rods interact sterically to form a wetting layer.

Bax-type apoptotic proteins porate pure lipid bilayers through a mechanism sensitive to intrinsic monolayer curvature.

During apoptosis, Bax-type proteins permeabilize the outer mitochondrial membrane to release intermembrane apoptogenic factors into the cytosol via a poorly understood mechanism. We have proposed that Bax and DeltaN76Bcl-x(L) (the Bax-like cleavage fragment of Bcl-x(L)) function by forming pores that are at least partially composed of lipids (lipidic pore formation). Since the membrane monolayer must bend during lipidic pore formation, we here explore the effect of intrinsic membrane monolayer curvature on pore formation.