Marangoni flows triggered by cationic-anionic surfactant complexation.

Hypothesis: The gradients in surfactant distribution at a fluid-fluid interface can induce fluid flow known as the Marangoni flow. Fluid interfaces found in biological and environmental systems are seldom clean, where mixtures of various surfactants are present. The presence of multi-component surfactant mixtures introduces the possibility of interactions among constituents, which may impact Marangoni flows and alter flow dynamics.

Fluid Flow to Electricity: Capturing Flow-Induced Vibrations with Micro-Electromechanical-System-Based Piezoelectric Energy Harvester.

We introduce a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) energy harvester, designed for capturing flow energy. Moving beyond traditional vibration-based energy harvesting, our approach incorporates a cylindrical oscillator mounted on an MEMS chip, effectively harnessing wind energy through flow-induced vibration (FIV). A highlight of our research is the development of a comprehensive fabrication process, utilizing a 5.

Low-Cost Angle Sensor for Robotics Applications Using Plastic Optical Fiber Based on Optical Loss Mechanism.

Robotic systems and the human body consist of numerous joint structures, all of which require precise angle adjustments. At present, encoder, strain gauge, and electrical resistance-based sensors are commonly used for angle measurement. However, these sensors have limitations when used in underwater or in environments with strong electromagnetic waves.

Diffusiophoresis promotes phase separation and transport of biomolecular condensates.

The internal microenvironment of a living cell is heterogeneous and comprises a multitude of organelles with distinct biochemistry. Amongst them are biomolecular condensates, which are membrane-less, phase-separated compartments enriched in system-specific proteins and nucleic acids. The heterogeneity of the cell engenders the presence of multiple spatiotemporal gradients in chemistry, charge, concentration, temperature, and pressure.

Diffusiophoresis promotes phase separation and transport of biomolecular condensates.

The internal microenvironment of a living cell is heterogeneous and comprises a multitude of organelles with distinct biochemistry. Amongst them are biomolecular condensates, which are membrane-less, phase-separated compartments enriched in system-specific proteins and nucleic acids. The heterogeneity of the cell engenders the presence of multiple spatiotemporal gradients in chemistry, charge, concentration, temperature, and pressure.

Implementation strategy for introducing a clinical skills examination to the Korean Oriental Medicine Licensing Examination: a mixed-method modified Delphi study.

Purpose: This study investigated the validity of introducing a clinical skills examination (CSE) to the Korean Oriental Medicine Licensing Examination through a mixed-method modified Delphi study

Methods: A 3-round Delphi study was conducted between September and November 2022. The expert panel comprised 21 oriental medicine education experts who were officially recommended by relevant institutions and organizations. The questionnaires included potential content for the CSE and a detailed implementation strategy.

Shape- and orientation-dependent diffusiophoresis of colloidal ellipsoids.

We present the diffusiophoresis of ellipsoidal particles induced by ionic solute gradients. Contrary to the common expectation that diffusiophoresis is shape independent, here we show experimentally that this assumption breaks down when the thin Debye layer approximation is relaxed. By tracking the translation and rotation of various ellipsoids, we find that the phoretic mobility of ellipsoids is sensitive to the eccentricity and the orientation of the ellipsoid relative to the imposed solute gradient, and can further lead to nonmonotonic behavior under strong confinement.

Directed colloidal assembly and banding via DC electrokinetics.

Manipulating the transport and assembly of colloidal particles to form segregated bands or ordered supracolloidal structures plays an important role in many aspects of science and technology, from understanding the origin of life to synthesizing new materials for next-generation manufacturing, electronics, and therapeutics. One commonly used method to direct colloidal transport and assembly is the application of electric fields, either AC or DC, due to its feasibility. However, as colloidal segregation and assembly both require active redistribution of colloidal particles across multiple length scales, it is not apparent at first sight how a DC electric field, either externally applied or internally induced, can lead to colloidal structuring.

Gradient area-selective deposition for seamless gap-filling in 3D nanostructures through surface chemical reactivity control.

The integration of bottom-up fabrication techniques and top-down methods can overcome current limits in nanofabrication. For such integration, we propose a gradient area-selective deposition using atomic layer deposition to overcome the inherent limitation of 3D nanofabrication and demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method toward large-scale production of materials. Cp(CH)Ti(OMe) is used as a molecular surface inhibitor to prevent the growth of TiO film in the next atomic layer deposition process.

Transitioning to confined spaces impacts bacterial swimming and escape response.

Symbiotic bacteria often navigate complex environments before colonizing privileged sites in their host organism. Chemical gradients are known to facilitate directional taxis of these bacteria, guiding them toward their eventual destination. However, less is known about the role of physical features in shaping the path the bacteria take and defining how they traverse a given space.

Facile Green Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles by Upcycling Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) Pericarp Extract.

In the present report, green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) was performed by upcycling mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) pericarp extract (methanol and ethyl acetate extracts). Field emission scanning electron microscopy images revealed an aggregated structure with a highly porous network of TiO NPs. TiO NPs synthesized with ethyl acetate extract (EtOAc-TiO NPs) exhibited more monodispersity and possessed smoother surfaces than the control TiO NPs (Con-TiO NPs) and TiO NPs synthesized with methanol extract (MeOH-TiO NPs).

Bioactive PCL microspheres with enhanced biocompatibility and collagen production for functional hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.

Polymeric microspheres containing magnesium hydroxide (MH) and a bioactive agent (BA), such as apocynin (APO) and astaxanthin (ATX), have been prepared as functional dermal fillers with enhanced physicochemical and biological performance. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL)-based microspheres were produced with a uniform size of about 30-40 μm by utilizing a membrane emulsification device. MH from the PCL/MH microspheres effectively neutralized acidic products from PCL degradation.

Formation of a colloidal band via pH-dependent electrokinetics.

Electroosmosis on nonuniformly charged surfaces often gives rise to intriguing flow behaviors, which can be utilized in applications such as mixing processes and designing micromotors. Here, we demonstrate nonuniform electroosmosis induced by electrochemical reactions. Water electrolysis creates pH gradients near the electrodes that cause a spatiotemporal change in the wall zeta potential, leading to nonuniform electroosmosis.

Confinement-Dependent Diffusiophoretic Transport of Nanoparticles in Collagen Hydrogels.

The transport of nanoparticles in biological hydrogels is often hindered by the strong confinement of the media, thus limiting important applications such as drug delivery and disinfection. Here, we investigate nanoparticle transport in collagen hydrogels driven by diffusiophoresis. Contrary to common expectations for boundary confinement effects where the confinement hinders diffusiophoresis, we observe a nonmonotonic behavior in which maximum diffusiophoretic mobility is observed at intermediate confinement.

Self-Formation of Superhydrophobic Surfaces through Interfacial Energy Engineering between Liquids and Particles.

The superhydrophobic surface has been used in ultradry surface applications, such as the maritime industry, windshields, non-sticky surfaces, anti-icing surfaces, self-cleaning surfaces, and so forth. However, one of the main hurdles for the production of superhydrophobic surfaces is high-cost fabrication methods. Here, we report a handy process of self-synthesis fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces with daily supplies.

The antagonistic effect of magnesium hydroxide particles on vascular endothelial activation induced by acidic PLGA degradation products.

Although drug-eluting stents (DESs) are mainly coated with biodegradable polymers such as PLGA and PLLA, their acidic degradation products can alter the local microenvironment and affect the homeostasis of adjacent tissue. Previously, we developed anti-inflammatory PLGA-based materials including magnesium hydroxide (MH) to relieve the side effects caused by PLGA degradation. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of its protective effects has not yet been clarified.

A Trace Amount of Surfactants Enables Diffusiophoretic Swimming of Bacteria.

From birth to health, surfactants play an essential role in our lives. Due to the importance, their environmental impacts are well understood. One of the aspects that has been extensively studied is their impact on bacteria, particularly on their motility.

Correction: Light-triggered explosion of lipid vesicles.

Correction for 'Light-triggered explosion of lipid vesicles' by Vinit Kumar Malik et al., Soft Matter, 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01027h.

Light-triggered explosion of lipid vesicles.

Lipid vesicles have received considerable interest because of their applications to in vitro reductionist cell membrane models as well as therapeutic delivery vehicles. In these contexts, the mechanical response of vesicles in nonequilibrium environments plays a key role in determining the corresponding dynamics. A common understanding of the response of lipid vesicles upon exposure to a hypotonic solution is a characteristic pulsatile behavior.

Colloid Separation by CO-Induced Diffusiophoresis.

We present a microfluidic crossflow separation of colloids enabled by the dissolution of CO gas in aqueous suspensions. The dissolved CO dissociates into H and HCO ions, which are efficient candidates for electrolytic diffusiophoresis, because of the fast diffusion of protons. By exposing CO gas to one side of a microfluidic flow channel, a crossflow gradient can be created, enabling the crossflow diffusiophoresis of suspended particles.