A second look at dry eye syndrome

Measurements highlighting the different mechanical properties of healthy and diseased tear film could provide fresh understanding of the underlying causes of dry eye syndrome, and point to new treatments to ease the discomfort of millions of sufferers.

With risk factors including contact lens wear and extended periods in front of a computer screen, the discomfort and visual disturbance associated with dry eye syndrome (DES) is a growing public health concern.

To read the full article please visit Chemistry World.

Surface relaxations as a tool to distinguish the dynamic interfacial properties of films by normal and diseased meibomian lipids
Georgi As. Georgiev, Norihiko Yokoi, Slavyana Ivanova, Vesselin Tonchev, Yana Nencheva and Rumen Krastev  
Soft Matter, 2014,
DOI: 10.1039/C4SM00758A
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HOT articles for June!

Director/barycentric rotation in cholesteric droplets under temperature gradient
Jun Yoshioka, Fumiya Ito, Yuto Suzuki, Hiroaki Takahashi, Hideaki Takizawa and Yuka Tabe

Graphical abstract: Director/barycentric rotation in cholesteric droplets under temperature gradient

The force of impacting rain
Dan Soto, Aurélie Borel De Larivière, Xavier Boutillon, Christophe Clanet and David Quéré

Graphical abstract: The force of impacting rain

These papers are free to access until 2nd July 2014


Self-organizing microfluidic crystals
William E. Uspal and Patrick S. Doyle  

Graphical abstract: Self-organizing microfluidic crystals

Torque density measurements on vortex fluids produced by symmetry-breaking rational magnetic fields
Kyle J. Solis and James E. Martin 

Graphical abstract: Torque density measurements on vortex fluids produced by symmetry-breaking rational magnetic fields
A microscopic view of the yielding transition in concentrated emulsions
E. D. Knowlton, D. J. Pine and L. Cipelletti   

Graphical abstract: A microscopic view of the yielding transition in concentrated emulsions

These papers are free to access until 15th July 2014


Binding of amphiphilic and triphilic block copolymers to lipid model membranes: the role of perfluorinated moieties
Christian Schwieger, Anja Achilles, Sven Scholz, Jan Rüger, Kirsten Bacia, Kay Saalwaechter, Jörg Kressler and Alfred Blume  
Soft Matter, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4SM00830H 

Graphical abstract: Binding of amphiphilic and triphilic block copolymers to lipid model membranes: the role of perfluorinated moieties 

Bending elastic properties of a block copolymer-rich lamellar phase doped by a surfactant: a neutron spin-echo study
H. Egger, G. H. Findenegg, O. Holderer, R. Biehl, M. Monkenbusch and T. Hellweg  
Soft Matter, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4SM00494A

Graphical abstract: Bending elastic properties of a block copolymer-rich lamellar phase doped by a surfactant: a neutron spin-echo study 

These papers are free to access until 25th July 2014


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2014 Soft Matter Lectureship awarded to Eric Dufresne

Eric Dufresne (L) in the lab

We are delighted to announce Professor Eric Dufresne (Yale University) as the recipient of the 2014 Soft Matter Lectureship. This award is given annually to honour a scientist who, although still in the earlier stages of their career, has made a remarkable contribution to the soft matter field.

Eric is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Yale University.  His research group is focused on experimental soft matter physics, with emphases on colloids, capillarity and cell biology.  Eric earned his Ph.D. with David Grier at the University of Chicago and was a post-doc with David Weitz at Harvard.

Here is a sample of Eric’s recent Soft Matter papers:

Traction force microscopy in physics and biology Robert W. Style, Rostislav Boltyanskiy, Guy K. German, Callen Hyland, Christopher W. MacMinn, Aaron F. Mertz, Larry A. Wilen, Ye Xu and Eric R. Dufresne

Imaging stress and strain in the fracture of drying colloidal films Ye Xu, Guy K. German, Aaron F. Mertz and Eric R. Dufresne

 
We would like to thank everybody who nominated a candidate for the Soft Matter Lectureship- the high calibre of the nominees meant that selecting this year’s recipient was not an easy decision for our Editorial Board.  Please keep an eye on the blog for more Lectureship news, including information on where Eric will be presenting his Soft Matter lecture.
 
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Editors’ Highlights: Computational and theoretical soft matter

Did you know that an essential part of Soft Matter’s scope is the theory, modelling and simulation of soft matter systems? 

At Soft Matter, we are excited by the insights and understanding of soft matter that can be gained through computational and theoretical methods. We are committed to publishing the highest quality research in these areas.  

Helping us to achieve this aim are our Editorial Board members Michael Rubinstein (University of North Carolina, USA), Christos Likos (University of Vienna, Austria), Anna Balazs (University of Pittsburgh, USA) and Sam Safran (Weitzmann Institute of Science, Israel)- all leading researchers in the theory, modelling and simulation of soft matter. 

We asked Michael, Christos, Anna and Sam to choose their favourites from the computational and theoretical papers published recently in Soft Matter. 

Below are their highlights.  All the papers selected are now free to access* until 30th June 2014 : 

Theory of two-dimensional self-assembly of Janus colloids: crystallization and orientational ordering Homin Shin and Kenneth S. Schweizer  

Annealed lattice animal model and Flory theory for the melt of non-concatenated rings: towards the physics of crumpling Alexander Y. Grosberg   

Alignment of cylindrical colloids near chemically patterned substrates induced by critical Casimir torques M. Labbé-Laurent, M. Tröndle, L. Harnau and S. Dietrich 

Shape selection in chiral ribbons: from seed pods to supramolecular assemblies Shahaf Armon, Hillel Aharoni, Michael Moshe and Eran Sharon 

From adhesion to wetting of a soft particle Thomas Salez, Michael Benzaquen and Élie Raphaël 

Modeling the response of dual cross-linked nanoparticle networks to mechanical deformation Balaji V. S. Iyer, Isaac G. Salib, Victor V. Yashin, Tomasz Kowalewski, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski and Anna C. Balazs   

Elasto-capillarity at the nanoscale: on the coupling between elasticity and surface energy in soft solids Joost H. Weijs, Bruno Andreotti and Jacco H. Snoeijer   

Phase separation dynamics on curved surfaces Davide Marenduzzo and Enzo Orlandini 

 *Free access to individuals is provided through a RSC Publishing personal account. Registration is quick, free and simple. 

We invite you to submit your next research paper in these areas to Soft Matter.   

About the Editors 

Professor Michael RubinsteinMichael Rubinstein is Chair of the Soft Matter Editorial Board and a Professor at the University of North Carolina, USA. Michael’s research interests are in the area of theoretical soft condensed matter physics with an emphasis on polymer physics. His main scientific contributions include theories of polymer entanglements, dynamics of reversible networks, and models of charged polymers. His recent scientific interests are in applications of polymer physics to biological systems. 

Professor Christos Likos  

Christos Likos is a Professor at the University of Vienna, Austria and handles submissions as a Soft Matter Associate Editor. His research interests revolve around coarse-graining, structure and dynamics of complex fluids, mainly solutions of colloidal particles and macromolecular aggregates. He is Coordinator of the EU-wide ITN “Physics of Complex Colloids: Equilibrium and Driven”, a joint effort of leading laboratories to analyze the properties of complex fluids in- and out-of-equilibrium. 

  

Professor Anna Balazs 

Anna Balazs is a Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research interests centre on theoretical and computational modelling of the thermodynamic and kinetic behaviour of polymer blends and composites.  She is also investigating the properties of polymers at surfaces and interfaces.Professor Sam Safran

 

Sam Safran has been a Professor in the Department of Materials and Interfaces of the Weizmann Institute, Israel, since 1990.  He also served as Vice President of the Weizmann Institute and Dean of its Graduate School.  From 1980-1990 he was at the Exxon Corporate Research Labs where he worked on the theory of soft matter with a focus on the structure and phase behavior of oil-water-surfactant dispersions.  His recent research interests have extended soft matter concepts to treat synthetic and biological membranes and cells.

 

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Anna Balazs is made a Materials Research Society Fellow

Congratulations to Soft Matter Editorial Board member Anna Balazs, who has been made a Fellow of the Materials Research Society (MRS) this year.

This recognition honors MRS members who are notable for their distinguished accomplishments and their outstanding contributions to the advancement of materials research, worldwide. 

Anna, who is a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, was awarded the Fellowship “for pioneering contributions to the prediction of materials behavior, ranging from nanocomposites to self-healing materials to oscillating gels, through the development of novel computational models.” Congratulations, Anna, on an excellent achievement!

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Paul Janmey joins the Soft Matter Editorial Board

We are delighted to welcome our new Soft Matter Editorial Board member Professor Paul Janmey.

Soft Matter Associate Editor Paul JanmeyPaul Janmey is a Professor of Physiology at the Institute for Medicine and Engineering, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania (USA).  After receiving his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Professor Janmey undertook a post-doctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he developed an approach to apply polymer physics methods to study the cytoskeleton.
 
In his research work, Professor Janmey uses a variety of imaging, scattering and rheologic methods to study of cell mechanics. His current interests include:

  • viscoelastic properties of biopolymer networks
  • how and why cells respond to their mechanical environment
  • the regulation of cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix assembly
  • new biocompatible materials for tissue engineering and wound healing

As a Soft Matter Associate Editor, Professor Janmey will be handling submissions to the journal. Why not submit your next paper to his Editorial Office?

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Top 10 most-read Soft Matter articles – Q1 2014

This month sees the following articles in Soft Matter that are in the top ten most accessed from January – March:

A new pathway for the re-equilibration of micellar surfactant solutions
I. M. Griffiths, C. J. W. Breward, D. M. Colegate, P. J. Dellar, P. D. Howell and C. D. Bain
Soft Matter, 2013,9, 853-863
DOI: 10.1039/C2SM27154K

Heterogeneity of the electrostatic repulsion between colloids at the oil–water interface
Bum Jun Park, Jan Vermant and Eric M. Furst
Soft Matter, 2010,6, 5327-5333
DOI: 10.1039/C0SM00485E

Bioinspired materials that self-shape through programmed microstructures
André R. Studart and Randall M. Erb
Soft Matter, 2014,10, 1284-1294
DOI: 10.1039/C3SM51883C

Progess in superhydrophobic surface development
Paul Roach, Neil J. Shirtcliffe and Michael I. Newton
Soft Matter, 2008,4, 224-240
DOI: 10.1039/B712575P

Manipulation of micro- and nanostructure motion with magnetic fields
Roger S. M. Rikken, Roeland J. M. Nolte, Jan C. Maan, Jan C. M. van Hest, Daniela A. Wilson and Peter C. M. Christianen
Soft Matter, 2014,10, 1295-1308
DOI: 10.1039/C3SM52294F

Multi-scale multi-mechanism design of tough hydrogels: building dissipation into stretchy networks
Xuanhe Zhao
Soft Matter, 2014,10, 672-687
DOI: 10.1039/C3SM52272E

Amphiphilic Janus particles at fluid interfaces
Ankit Kumar, Bum Jun Park, Fuquan Tu and Daeyeon Lee
Soft Matter, 2013,9, 6604-6617
DOI: 10.1039/C3SM50239B

Self-healing materials: a review
Richard P. Wool
Soft Matter, 2008,4, 400-418
DOI: 10.1039/B711716G

Cellulose nanowhiskers: promising materials for advanced applications
Stephen J. Eichhorn
Soft Matter, 2011,7, 303-315
DOI: 10.1039/C0SM00142B

Janus particles
Andreas Walther and Axel H. E. Müller
Soft Matter, 2008,4, 663-668
DOI: 10.1039/B718131K

Why not take a look at the articles today and blog your thoughts and comments below.

Fancy submitting an article to Soft Matter? Then why not submit to us today!

To keep up-to-date with all the latest research, sign up for the Soft Matter e-Alert or RSS feeds or follow Soft Matter on Twitter or Facebook

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Hot articles for May!

A particle based model to simulate microscale morphological changes of plant tissues during drying
H. C. P. Karunasena, W. Senadeera, R. J. Brown and Y. T. Gu

Graphical abstract: A particle based model to simulate microscale morphological changes of plant tissues during drying


Mapping amyloid-β(16-22) nucleation pathways using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy
Neil R. Anthony, Anil K. Mehta, David G. Lynn and Keith M. Berland

Graphical abstract: Mapping amyloid-β(16-22) nucleation pathways using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

These papers are free to access until 2nd June 2014


Evolving design rules for the inverse granular packing problem
Marc Z. Miskin and Heinrich M. Jaeger

Graphical abstract: Evolving design rules for the inverse granular packing problem


Ionic effects in self-propelled Pt-coated Janus swimmers
Aidan Brown and Wilson Poon

Graphical abstract: Ionic effects in self-propelled Pt-coated Janus swimmers

These papers are free to access until 16th June 2014


Saddle-splay screening and chiral symmetry breaking in toroidal nematics
Vinzenz Koning, Benjamin C. van Zuiden, Randall D. Kamien and Vincenzo Vitelli

Graphical abstract: Saddle-splay screening and chiral symmetry breaking in toroidal nematics


Emerging bioinspired polymers: glycopolypeptides
Kai-Steffen Krannig and Helmut Schlaad

Graphical abstract: Emerging bioinspired polymers: glycopolypeptides


Analysis of liquid metal foams through X-ray radioscopy and microgravity experiments
F. García-Moreno, S. T. Tobin, M. Mukherjee, C. Jiménez, E. Solórzano, G. S. Vinod Kumar, S. Hutzler and J. Banhart

Graphical abstract: Analysis of liquid metal foams through X-ray radioscopy and microgravity experiments

These papers are free to access until 20th June 2014


Destruction of cancer cells by laser-induced shock waves: recent developments in experimental treatments and multiscale computer simulations
Martin Oliver Steinhauser and Mischa Schmidt  

Graphical abstract: Destruction of cancer cells by laser-induced shock waves: recent developments in experimental treatments and multiscale computer simulations


Strong effect of weak charging in suspensions of anisotropic colloids
Sven Dorosz, Nikhilesh Shegokar, Tanja Schilling and Martin Oettel  

Graphical abstract: Strong effect of weak charging in suspensions of anisotropic colloids

These papers are free to access until 28th June 2014


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Soft Matter 2014 Lectureship: Update

Thank you to everyone who nominated a candidate for the Soft Matter 2014 Lectureship. The response has been fantastic and we now have an extensive list of excellent nominees for our Editorial Board to consider. We will be announcing the winner next month-do keep an eye on the blog for further news!

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Redefining moisturiser – Soft Matter article in Chemistry World

The secret to soft skin is not necessarily increasing its water content but retaining molecular fluidity © Shutterstock

Scientists in Sweden have probed the outermost layer of skin to gain molecular insights into how naturally occurring molecules in this layer protect it from drying out.

Healthy skin with a normal degree of hydration is soft and pliable. This is not the case for dry skin, which is brittle and easily cracks. To treat dry skin it is common to apply a cosmetic containing a humectant  ̶  a type of “moisturiser” – like glycerol or urea. These substances are also components of natural moisturising factor (NMF), a group of molecules naturally present in the skin barrier. The beneficial function of these compounds if often claimed to be their capacity for increasing skin hydration, although the underlying mechanisms are generally described with a rather weak molecular basis.

Interested to know more? Read the full news article by Jennifer Newton in Chemistry World here…

Read the paper by Sebastian Björklund et. al for free until 23 May 2014:

Stratum corneum molecular mobility in the presence of natural moisturizers
Sebastian Björklund, Jenny Marie Andersson, Agnieszka Ewa Nowacka, Quoc Dat Pham, Daniel Topgaard and Emma Sparr
Soft Matter, 2014, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C4SM00137K, Paper

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