4.5 Editorial Material

Special issue on soft matter research in Latin America

Related references

Note: Only part of the references are listed.
Article Physics, Condensed Matter

The generalized continuous multiple step (GCMS) potential: model systems and benchmarks

Jorge Munguia-Valadez et al.

Summary: The generalized continuous multiple step (GCMS) potential is a flexible potential with adjustable energy and length scales that can encode repulsive and/or attractive contributions. It provides a continuous representation of various potentials for computer simulations and is particularly suitable for molecular dynamics simulations. The versatile sigmoid form of the GCMS potential allows it to mimic other interactions with a judicious choice of parameters. Comparisons with published data on model systems demonstrate the excellent agreement of the GCMS representation.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Phase transitions of liposomes: when light meets heat

C. S. Velez-Saboya et al.

Summary: Phase transitions of liposomes can be studied using differential scanning calorimetry. When the temperature changes, liposomes transition from a gel to a liquid phase or from a liquid to a gel phase, accompanied by changes in their size.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Morphological fluctuations of individual mitochondria in living cells

Agustina B. Fernandez Casafuz et al.

Summary: This study examines the morphological changes and spatio-temporal fluctuations of mitochondria in a cellular model. Using an automatic classification method, the bending plasticity of mitochondria in their cellular environment is quantified for the first time. The findings suggest that the cytoskeleton network architecture and dynamics play a significant role in mitochondria shape remodeling and fluctuations.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Non-equilibrium relaxation and aging in the dynamics of a dipolar fluid quenched towards the glass transition

Ricardo Peredo-Ortiz et al.

Summary: The recently developed non-equilibrium self-consistent generalized Langevin equation theory is applied to describe the dynamics of liquid systems composed of non-spherically interacting particles. The study focuses on the irreversible relaxation process of a dipolar hard-sphere liquid quenched from equilibrium conditions towards different ergodic-non-ergodic transitions. The theory predicts qualitatively different scenarios for the time evolution of the system after the quench, depending on the type of transition approached and the preparation protocol. The study provides insights into the kinetics and relaxation laws of the dynamics at glass transitions.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Development and decay of vortex flows in viscoelastic fluids between concentric cylinders

Renzo Guido et al.

Summary: This study investigates the development and decay of vortex in viscoelastic fluids between coaxial cylinders using experiments and numerical simulations. The results show that the development of vortex exhibits overshoot, while the decay of vortex exhibits undershoot. The numerical simulations provide insights into the relationship between the overshoot and undershoot and the fluid characteristics.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Monte Carlo simulations of two-component Coulomb gases applied in surface electrodes

Robert Salazar et al.

Summary: In this study, the gapped surface electrode system is investigated using numerical and Monte Carlo simulations. The effects of coupling and gap geometry on particle distribution are analyzed, and the results are compared with an electric vector potential approach, showing good agreement.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Molecular dynamics simulations of structural and dynamical aspects of DNA hydration water

Paulo A. Netz

Summary: Water, a remarkable liquid, plays a crucial role in the structure and function of biological molecules. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that water is slowed down and undergoes dynamic transitions when interacting with nucleic acids at low temperatures. Understanding the behavior of water in extreme conditions is important for cryopreservation of biological tissues.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Colloidal model of two-step protocol for epitaxial growth in one dimension

Manuel Camargo et al.

Summary: This study explores the application of a two-step growth protocol to a one-dimensional colloidal model, comparing analytical results with those from molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that the two-step protocol allows for a better understanding and control on the island formation mechanism compared to the standard one-step protocol. The predicted features and advantages of the two-step process could be experimentally tested using deposition of colloidal spheres on pattern substrates.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Phase classification using neural networks: application to supercooled, polymorphic core-softened mixtures

V. F. Hernandes et al.

Summary: Characterization of phases in soft matter systems, especially polymorphic fluids, is a challenging task. In this study, a neural network algorithm is used to analyze the phase behavior of mixtures of core-softened fluids and core-softened alcohols. The trained neural network is able to accurately predict the different phases and phase transitions, providing insights into the behavior of supercooled polymorphic fluids and the effects of amphiphilic solutes.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Measuring mesoscopic scales in complex fluids embedded with giant cylindrical micelles with diffusing wave spectroscopy micro-rheology

Antonio Tavera-Vazquez et al.

Summary: This review paper presents a procedure for measuring the mesoscopic scales in micellar solutions embedded with giant cylindrical micelles. The method involves using the mean square displacement determined with a quasi-elastic multiple light scattering method and theory. The paper evaluates the whole procedure, including the performance of the scattering experiments, recovery of optical parameters, and the development of micro-rheology for obtaining the mesoscopic scales in these complex fluids.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Random-walk model of the sodium-glucose transporter SGLT2 with stochastic steps and inhibition

Yan B. Barreto et al.

Summary: A random-walk model was used to describe the dynamics of glucose uptake by SGLT2, and two new states were added to the canonical model to better explain the experimental results.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Activation energy, spatial confinement, and mean first passage and escape times of a tracer in a wormlike micellar fluid: an effective potential approach

Guillermo Ivan Guerrero-Garcia et al.

Summary: In this work, a method is proposed to estimate the experimental activation energy, spatial confinement, and mean first passage and escape times of a tracer immersed in a wormlike micellar network using economic Brownian dynamics simulations. The method has been applied to characterize the long-time dynamics of wormlike micellar solutions formed by the self-assembly of a mixture of surfactants at different temperatures and concentrations. The results show good agreement with experimental data and demonstrate the applicability of this method to study tracers in other polymer systems with similar cage-like effects.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Extended law of corresponding states: square-well oblates

Miguel Gomez de Santiago et al.

Summary: This research provides theoretical basis for the extended principle of corresponding states and demonstrates its application to short-range pair potentials with anisotropy. By simulations and theoretical calculations, it is found that the binodals of oblate hard ellipsoids collapse into a single curve in the Delta B-2*-rho(r) plane for a given aspect ratio. This finding is independent of the local structure of the fluid.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Morphology and energy transfer study between conjugated polymers thin films: experimental and theoretical approaches

Luana Wouk et al.

Summary: In this paper, the effect of a silafluorene derivative copolymer, PSiF-DBT, sensitized by a simpler homopolymer, MDMO-PPV, was investigated in bilayer and ternary blend configurations. The energy transfer between the polymers was found to improve the photocurrent in photovoltaic devices. Several experimental techniques were used to evaluate the optical and morphological interactions between the donor polymer films and their correlation to the photovoltaic performance. The results showed that the homopolymer improved the absorption spectra and the nonradiative-energy transfer, acting as a photosensitizer in the copolymer units.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Thermodynamics, static properties and transport behaviour of fluids with competing interactions

Roman Perdomo-Perez et al.

Summary: Competing interaction fluids are ideal model systems to study various phenomena, including the formation of intermediate range order structures, condensed phases not seen in purely attractive or repulsive fluids, reversible and irreversible particle aggregation, and the influence of particle dynamics on fluid transport behavior and rheological properties.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Soft representation of the square-well and square-shoulder potentials to be used in Brownian and molecular dynamics simulations

Miguel A. Sandoval-Puentes et al.

Summary: The discrete hard-sphere, square-well, and square-shoulder potentials are important tools for describing molecular and complex fluids. However, using these potentials in computer simulations can lead to technical problems. This paper proposes a method to replace the discrete potentials with continuous and differentiable forms, and evaluates their accuracy through computer simulations. The results show that the soft potentials have similar properties to the original discrete potentials.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Non-quantum chirality in a driven Brusselator

Jason A. C. Gallas

Summary: We have discovered a non-quantum chirality in the periodically driven Brusselator, which is different from the standard chirality in quantum contexts. This new type of chirality is governed solely by classical rate equations. By computing high-resolution phase diagrams, we have determined the number of spikes, local maxima, in the stable periodic oscillations of the Brusselator as a function of the frequency and amplitude of the external drive. We also discuss how to experimentally observe non-quantum chirality in oscillators governed by nonlinear rate equations.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Kinetic Monte Carlo method applied to micrometric particle detachment mechanisms by aerodynamic forces

Marcela C. Villagran Olivares et al.

Summary: A kinetic Monte Carlo simulation model is developed to study the resuspension of aerosol particles. The model considers different possible mechanisms, including rolling, sliding, and lifting-off, and successfully simulates the transition behavior between particles and airflow. The study highlights the importance of particle shape and detachment mechanism in determining the resuspension behavior.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Pulsatile parallel flow of air and a viscoelastic fluid with multiple characteristic times. An application to mucus in the trachea and the frequency of cough

Pablo Alberto de la Guerra et al.

Summary: This study investigates the dynamics of a binary fluid, studying the parallel flow of two fluids in a cylindrical geometry driven by pulsatile pressure gradients. The research finds a correlation between the movement of mucus and the frequency of coughing, providing a plausible explanation for the cough frequency in healthy individuals.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Structural properties and ring defect formation in discotic liquid crystal nanodroplets

Daniel Salgado-Blanco et al.

Summary: In this work, Monte Carlo simulations were performed to study the behavior of a Gay-Berne discotic liquid crystal confined in a spherical droplet. Results show that the presence of the droplet affects the phase transition behavior of the liquid crystal, and a ring disclination line appears as a stress release mechanism. Furthermore, a columnar phase forms at the center of the droplet with further cooling.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Determination of liquid-vapor equilibrium and critical properties of fatty acids for biodiesel production through molecular dynamics

Kevin R. Arriola Gonzalez et al.

Summary: In recent years, biodiesel production has gained attention as a renewable and green fuel option due to the decrease in fossil fuel reserves. However, the high costs of production have limited its large-scale implementation. To address this issue, novel processes and molecular simulation techniques have been proposed to determine the critical properties of biodiesel precursors such as fatty acids. These studies aim to improve the understanding and optimization of biodiesel production processes.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

The development of new oral vaccines using porous silica

C. L. P. Oliveira et al.

Summary: Ordered mesoporous silica is an efficient oral adjuvant for delivering a variety of antigens. It has shown promising results in inducing immune response for different antigens without toxicity. Physics methods have been used to characterize the material and determine the ideal antigen load and release rate for developing proper oral vaccines.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Short-time dynamics in active systems: the Vicsek model

M. Leticia Rubio Puzzo et al.

Summary: The study investigates the short-time dynamics of Vicsek model with vector noise and finds that despite the non-equilibrium characteristics, the short-time dynamics presents similar phenomenology to equilibrium systems. The study shows that the transition can be determined as continuous or discontinuous, and the critical point and critical exponents can be determined in continuous transitions.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Simplified Green's function for surface waves in quasi-incompressible elastic plates with application to elastography

Nicolas Benech et al.

Summary: Surface wave elastography is a growing method for estimating the elasticity in soft solids. This study proposes a simplified Green's function model for retrieving shear elasticity from near-field measurements. The experimental results show good overall agreement, with potential improvements by incorporating diffraction and viscosity into the model.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Competitive protein adsorption on charge regulating silica-like surfaces: the role of protonation equilibrium

Marilina Cathcarth et al.

Summary: In this study, a molecular thermodynamic theory is developed to investigate the interaction between proteins and a charge regulating silica-like surface. The results show that protonation equilibrium and the charge regulation of the surface hydroxyl groups play critical roles in the protein-surface interactions. Additionally, protein adsorption and surface-protein interactions in binary mixtures cannot be predicted solely based on single-protein solutions.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Structural, dynamic, and hydration properties of quercetin and its aggregates in solution

M. G. Campo et al.

Summary: Quercetin, a flavonoid in the human diet, has multiple health benefits. During hydration, quercetin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules in its hydrophilic region, while the water density around its hydrophobic region is lower. Quercetin aggregates in pi-stacking configurations, which decrease hydrogen bonds with surrounding water and result in subdiffusive behavior of water molecules.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Heat flow through a liquid-vapor interface in a nano-channel: the effect of end-grafting polymers on a wall

Claudio Pastorino et al.

Summary: Heat transfer through a liquid-vapor interface is crucially relevant in heat-removal and cryogenic applications. Surface modification with polymer coatings can significantly improve the heat transfer in nano-confined two-phase systems. The presence of solvophilic polymers on the walls can increase the heat flux by a factor of 6 compared to bare walls, but the improvement is smaller once the liquid wets the coated wall. The presence of stiff polymers can induce a jump in heat flux at lower channel filling.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Rotational and translational microrheology from shape-anisotropic particles

Jose Luis Arauz-Lara et al.

Summary: In this study, the mean squared angular and translational displacements of a colloidal dumbbell in a viscoelastic fluid were measured using digital microscopy. The obtained mechanical properties of the media were consistent with both angular and translational motions, as well as with the measurements from a spherical probe particle's translational motion.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Counterion condensation theory for finite polyelectrolyte and salt concentrations

J. A. Bertolotto et al.

Summary: In this study, the physical fundamentals of Manning's counterion condensation are analyzed using his charged line model in a simple salt solution. The theory is extended to include cases of finite saline concentration and polymeric concentration approaching zero, as well as cases of both finite concentrations. The obtained results are compared with the counterion condensation theory by Schurr and Fujimoto, revealing that the linear density of critical charge depends on the concentration of added salt. The theory is also applied to linear polyelectrolyte solutions, and the modified electrostatic contribution to the Gibbs energy is considered. The osmotic coefficient is obtained and compared with experimental data of DNA osmotic coefficient and theoretical adjustment using the Poisson-Boltzmann equation.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2022)

Article Physics, Condensed Matter

Relaxation dynamics of two interacting electrical double-layers in a 1D Coulomb system

Lucas Varela et al.

Summary: In this study, an out-of-equilibrium one-dimensional model for two electrical double-layers is considered, with the relaxation time calculated using a combination of exact calculations and Brownian dynamics simulations. It was found that for odd N, the double-layers never decouple, while for even N, the Bjerrum length becomes the relevant length scale for setting the relaxation time. Additionally, thermal effects were found to have detrimental effects on relaxation for even N, but to accelerate relaxation for odd N.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER (2021)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Using the second virial coefficient as physical criterion to map the hard-sphere potential onto a continuous potential

Cesar Alejandro Baez et al.

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS (2018)