The dynamics of droplet spreading on two-dimensional wicking surfaces were studied using square arrays of Si nanopillars. It was observed that the wicking film always precedes the droplet edge during the spreading process causing the droplet to effectively spread on a Cassie-Baxter surface composed of solid and liquid phases. Unlike the continual spreading of the wicking film, however, the droplet will eventually reach a shape where further spreading becomes energetically unfavorable. In addition, we found that the displacement-time relationship for droplet spreading follows a power law that is different from that of the wicking film. A quantitative model was put forth to derive this displacement-time relationship and predict the contact angle at which the droplet will stop spreading. The predictions of our model were validated with experimental data and results published in the literature.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.88.062406 | DOI Listing |
Cell
January 2025
Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:
Xist RNA initiates X inactivation as it spreads in cis across the chromosome. Here, we reveal a biophysical basis for its cis-limited diffusion. Xist RNA and HNRNPK together drive a liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) that encapsulates the chromosome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Nano
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
A surfactant is an efficient and common additive used to enhance the spreading of droplets on hydrophobic surfaces. However, a high surfactant concentration is required to achieve the desired performance, resulting in environmental pollution and increased costs. Additionally, the pesticide loading capacity of surfactants at low concentrations (below their critical micelle concentrations) is a concern.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Phys Chem B
January 2025
Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States.
Liquid phase-separating proteins can form condensates that play an important role in spatial and temporal organization of biological cells. The understanding of the mechanisms that lead to the formation of protein condensates and their interactions with other biomolecules may lead to processing routes for soft materials with tailored geometry and function. Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is an example of a nuclear protein that forms stable complexes, and recent studies have highlighted its ability to wet actin filaments and bundle them into networks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Colloid Interface Sci
January 2025
School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093 China. Electronic address:
Hypothesis: The depth of research into the mechanism of droplet impacting structured surfaces dictates the efficacy of their applications. The impact stress generated when a droplet impacts a surface is a pivotal factor influencing the efficiency of surface applications, ultimately determining the extent of surface wear. Despite the systematic examination of impact force, there remains a scarcity of research on impact stress and its mitigation strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrobiol Spectr
January 2025
Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA.
Unlabelled: Testing for the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been crucial in tracking disease spread and informing public health decisions. Wastewater-based epidemiology has helped to alleviate some of the strain of testing through broader, population-level surveillance, and has been applied widely on college campuses. However, questions remain about the impact of various sampling methods, target types, environmental factors, and infrastructure variables on SARS-CoV-2 detection.
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