Qingran Meng^1,2, Wenwen Xu², Zuobing Xiao², Qinfei Ke^1,2,*, Xingran Kou^1,2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 629-641, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.029182

Abstract Bio-based cyclodextrins (CDs) are a common research object in supramolecular chemistry. The special cavity structure of CDs can form supramolecular self-assemblies such as vesicles and microcrystals through weak interaction with guest molecules. The different forms of supramolecular self-assemblies can be transformed into each other under certain conditions. The regulation of supramolecular self-assembly is not only helpful to understand the self-assembly principle, but also beneficial to its application. In the present study, the self-assembly behavior of epoxy-β-cyclodextrin (EP-β-CD) and mixed anionic and cationic surfactant system (sodium dodecyl sulfate/dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, SDS/DTAB) in aqueous solution was studied. Morphological… More > Graphic Abstract

Mingxuan He¹, Yahui Zheng¹, Jiaming Shen¹, Jiawei Shi¹, Yongzheng Zhang¹, Yinghong Xiao^2,*, Jianfei Che^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.2, pp. 215-233, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.043659

Abstract

The abuse of plastic food packaging has brought about severe white pollution issues around the world. Developing green and sustainable biomass packaging is an effective way to solve this problem. Hence, a chitosan/sodium alginate-based multilayer film is fabricated via a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly method. With the help of superior interaction between the layers, the multilayer film possesses excellent mechanical properties (with a tensile strength of 50 MPa). Besides, the film displays outstanding water retention property (blocking moisture of 97.56%) and ultraviolet blocking property. Anthocyanin is introduced into the film to detect the food quality since

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Yogesh K. Murugesan¹, Damiano Pasini², Alejandro D. Rey^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.1, pp. 56-72, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2014.634124

Abstract This review on self-assembly in biological fi brous composites presents theory and simulation to elucidate the principles and mechanisms that govern the thermodynamics, material science, and rheology of biological anisotropic soft matter that are involved in the growth/self-assembly/material processing of these materials. Plant cell wall, a multi-layered biological fi brous composite, is presented as a model biological system to investigate self-assembly mechanisms in nature’s material synthesis. In order to demonstrate the universality of the presented models and the mechanisms investigated, references to other biological/ biomimetic systems are made when applicable. The integration of soft matter More >

Yadong Liu¹, Guangcheng Huang^1,2, Yuanyuan Pang^1,2, Miaomiao Han¹, Shengxiang Ji^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.2, pp. 113-119, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2014.634141

Abstract In this work, we report a one-pot synthesis of amphiphilic miktoarm cellulose graft copolymers, cellulose (-graft-oligo(L-lactide))-graft-oligo(N-isopropylacrylamide) (Cell(-g-OLLA)-g-ONIPAM), with dual side chains of oligo(L-lactide) and oligo(N-isopropylacrylamide) using 2-bromoisobutyl bromide functionalized cellulose (Cell(-OH)-Br) as the macroinitiator, by simultaneously conducting ring-opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization using Cu/CuBr/PMDETA/Sn(Oct)₂ as the catalytic system. The chemical structures and thermal properties of Cell(-g-OLLA)-g-ONIPAMs were characterized with ¹ H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. Cell (-g-OLLA)-g-ONIPAM could self-assemble into micelles in the aqueous solution as confi rmed by environmental scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light More >

Tak-Sing Wong^*, Branden Brough^†, Chih-Ming Ho^∗,‡

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.6, No.1, pp. 1-56, 2009, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2009.006.001

Abstract Mimicking nature's approach in creating devices with similar functional complexity is one of the ultimate goals of scientists and engineers. The remarkable elegance of these naturally evolved structures originates from bottom-up self-assembly processes. The seamless integration of top-down fabrication and bottom-up synthesis is the challenge for achieving intricate artificial systems. In this paper, technologies necessary for guided bottom-up assembly such as molecular manipulation, molecular binding, and the self assembling of molecules will be reviewed. In addition, the current progress of synthesizing mechanical devices through top-down and bottom-up approaches will be discussed. More >

Baohua Ji^*, Yonggang Huang^†

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.3, No.3, pp. 109-120, 2006, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2006.003.109

Abstract The mechanisms governing the self-assembled structure of biomolecules (single chain and bundle of chains) are studied with an AB copolymer model via the coarse grained molecular dynamics simulations. Non-local hydrophobic interaction is found to play a critical role in the pattern formation of the assembled structure of polymer chains. We show that the polymer structure could be controlled by adjusting the balance between local (short range) and non-local (long range) hydrophobic interaction which are influenced by various factors such as the sequences, chain length, stiffness, confinement, and the topology of polymers. In addition, the competition More >

Tsung-Yu Huang¹, Wen-Hwa Chen^1,2

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.85, No.6, pp. 521-542, 2012, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2012.085.521

Abstract A rigorous three-dimensional analysis model is established to calculate the restoring force and restoring torque for the self-alignment of the micropart with the binding site in solution using the Surface Evolver Program, which is developed for analyzing the liquid formation due to surface tension and other energies. The motions of the micropart studied include translation, compression, yawing and rolling, respectively. More >

Itsuo Hanasaki, Hirofumi Shintaku, Satoshi Matsunami, Satoyuki Kawano¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.46, No.2, pp. 191-208, 2009, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2009.046.191

Abstract Self-assembly is one of the physical phenomena that are promising for the manufacturing process of the devices on which DNA molecules are mounted as the components. We have conducted a structural study of self-assembled poly(dA)\discretionary poly(dT) DNA networks on mica surface to discuss the design requirements. The results indicate that the network formation process consists of the adsorption and the subsequent coarsening. The final form of the component filaments are roughly straight. These characteristics imply the possible tensile loads during the network formation. Therefore, we have conducted molecular dynamics simulations of tensile tests of a More >

Ehsan Saeedi¹, Shaghayegh Abbasi¹, Karl F. B ¨ohringer¹, Babak A. Parviz¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.2, No.4, pp. 221-246, 2006, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.221

Abstract Self-assembly is emerging as one of the main methods for construction of heterogeneous systems consisting of multiple component types in nano- and micro-scales. The engineered self-assembly used for system integration involves preparation of parts that can recognize and bind to each other or a template, and perfection of procedures that allow for high yield self-assembly of these parts into a system. Capillary forces resultant from molten alloys are attractive candidates for driving such self-assembly processes as they can simultaneously provide electrical and mechanical connections. The basic self-assembly process is reviewed here. Selection of the appropriate More >