Emulsion-based foods are structured to improve taste, but how do these emulsions affect fat metabolism in the digestive system? The affect of structure on lipolysis in vitro, and triglyceride absorption in vivo, was investigated and researchers found lipid absorption was governed by emulsion instability.
Further studies on the physiological effects of food structure on lipid metabolism are underway.
Fabrication of metal-ion containing layer-by-layer (LBL) assemblies has been simplified in a recently published procedure. Metallopolyelectrolytes were used to synthesise the LBL films, without the need for strict control of metal to ligand ratio, or preparation of coordination polymers. Through this synthesis fluorescent supermolecular thin films with desired colours were also fabricated.
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Yuru Lan, Limin Xu, Yun Yan, Jianbin Huang, Arie de Keizer, Nicolaas A. M. Besseling and Martien A. Cohen Stuart, Soft Matter, 2011, (Advance Article), DOI: 10.1039/C0SM01316A, Paper.
The theory behind diblock-copolymer films grafted on spherical objects is investigated. An efficient numerical self-consistent field theory (SCFT) algorithm, combining spherical harmonics and the Crank-Nicolsen method, was developed. This algorithm could potentially be used for a wide range of spherical systems.
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Bart Vorselaars, Jaeup U. Kim, Tanya L. Chantawansri, Glenn H. Fredrickson and Mark W. Matsen
Soft Matter, 2011, (Advance Article), DOI: 10.1039/C0SM01242D, Paper
Chakrabarti and Wales draw inspiration from DNA to perform theoretical studies on a model supramolecular helix system. They demonstrate the inversion of helix handedness results from cooperative rotation of the two segments of opposite handedness in opposite directions. A mechanical motion rarely observed in molecular machines.
Stimulus responsive soft matter with an upper critical solution temperature (UCST), the temperature at which a mixture is miscible in all proportions, has potential uses in drug delivery and separation technology.
The authors of this hot article study one of the few known polymers which exhibit Flory-Huggins UCST-behaviour, poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (POEGMA), in aliphatic alcohols.
An excellent overview of an emerging strategy for synthesising hydrogels with more specific bio-responsiveness. Known protein motions are used as building blocks for synthetic dynamic materials, exploiting the conformational changes in proteins in response to specific biochemical triggers. Potential applications include drug delivery and bio-sensing.
Researchers have overcome solubility issues with cyclohexasilane by encapsulating it in copolymer micelles. The silane exhibits a stable host-guest interaction with the amphiphilic invertible polymers. Liquid precursors, such as cyclohexasilane are important for manufacturing electronic devices, similar to the ink component in inkjet printing.
A novel fusion assay based on pore-spanning membranes has overcome the drawbacks of black lipid- and solid supported-membranes. This assay was able to monitor the calcium ion mediated fusion of lipid membranes, an important process in biology.
Scanning ion conductance microscopy investigated the change in morphology of the pore membrane after coating of the pore holes by the lipids.
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Ines Höfer and Claudia Steinem, Soft Matter, 2011, (Advance Article), DOI: 10.1039/C0SM01429J, Communication
Researchers show that the spherical harmonics parameterization (SHP) method reliably calculates vesicle and cell morphology. Most importantly, SHP calculated the shape of red blood cells (RBC), reproducing the slightly out-of-plane spicules observed experimentally for echinocytes (crenated RBCs).
A new low molecular weight gelator forms metallogels in the presence of Ag salts. Photoreduction of the salt under UV irradiation then results in the CONTROLLED synthesis of silver nanoparticles.
Photoluminescence of freshly prepared gels
Mot interestingly, the gels exhibited complex and surprising rheological behaviour depending on the initial concentration of silver salt.
Read for free HERE until March 4, 2011. Marc-Oliver M. Piepenbrock, Nigel Clarke and Jonathan W. Steed, Soft Matter, 2011, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C0SM00647E, Paper
