Ion electrodiffusion governs silk electrogelation
The formation of biocompatible medical adhesives based on silk hydrogels can be controlled by electric fields. The elongation of the silk fibres is dependent on factors such as the value of the applied DC current, pH and silk fibroin concentration. In this hot paper, Kaplan and co-workers describe a model which describes the transition of silk fibroin solution to a gel sate whereby the silk elongation can be mediated by a local change of the pH. The model was confirmed experimentally suggesting it could be used to calculate the amount of current needed for desired gel state growth under various conditions.
(Soft Matter, 2012, 8, 6897-6905 )
Oil droplets in emulsions are widely used for foods, consumer products and pharmaceutical applications. The mass transfer and ripening processes in emulsions with complex, non-Newtonian interfaces is little studied. In this hot paper, Erni and co-workers present a detailed study of the effect of interfacial rheological properties on compositional ripening in emulsions. The results are expected to have applications in the design and engineering of delivery systems in pharmaceuticals, phytochemicals, and flavour or fragrance compounds.
(Soft Matter, 2012, 8, 6958-6967)
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