Collisional dynamics of symmetric two-dimensional quantum droplets

The collisional dynamics of two symmetric droplets with equal intraspecies scattering lengths and particle number density for each component is studied by solving the corresponding extended Gross−Pitaevskii equation in two dimensions by including a logarithmic correction term in the usual contact interaction. We find the merging droplet after collision experiences a quadrupole oscillation in its shape and the oscillation period is found to be independent of the incidental momentum for small droplets. With increasing collision momentum the colliding droplets may separate into two, or even more, and finally into small pieces of droplets. For these dynamical phases we manage to present boundaries determined by the remnant particle number in the central area and the damped oscillation of the quadrupole mode. A stability peak for the existence of droplets emerges at the critical particle numberN_c ≃ 48 for the quasi-Gaussian and flat-top shapes of the droplets.     

Precipitated droplets in-situ cross-linking polymerization and its applications

A novel, green and effective approach to fabricate uniform functional spherical polymer particles remains a huge challenge. Herein, we present a novel one-pot approach superior to traditional precipitation polymerization, called precipitated droplets in-situ cross-linking (PDIC) polymerization, by which uniform particles are fabricated on large scale without any toxic organic solvents or stabilizers. With this approach, functional spherical polymer particles can be fabricated continuously only relying on gravity, and the preparation process is thus super-fast. For example, polyacrylic acid (PAA) hydrogel particles with ultra-high adsorption capacity are fabricated within only 60 s. Moreover, we have successfully fabricated different functional hydrogel particles, including anticoagulant, reinforced and bactericidal particles, based on the monomers of 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), acrylamide (AM) and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (DMC), respectively. This approach has several advantages: (i) the technology is green; (ii) the size and porosity of the particles can be well-controlled; (iii) various functional spherical hydrogel particles can be fabricated by using corresponding monomers. More importantly, this approach fits the commercialization of functional hydrogel particles on demand.     

Coacervates as models of membraneless organelles

Coacervates are condensed liquid-like droplets, usually formed with oppositely charged polymeric molecules. They have been studied extensively in colloid and interface science for their remarkable material properties. The liquid–liquid phase separation underlying coacervate formation also plays an important role in the formation of various membraneless organelles (MLOs) that are found in many living cells. Therefore, there is an increasing interest to use well-characterized coacervates as in vitro models that mimic specific aspects of MLOs. Here, we review five aspects – physical and chemical properties, hierarchical organization, uptake selectivity, formation dynamics, and maturation – that are of particular interest and discuss how useful coacervates are to better understand these aspects of MLOs.     

A single-cell encapsulation method based on a microfluidic multi-step droplet splitting system

Single cell analysis is of great significance to understand the physiological activity of organisms.Microfluidic droplet is an ideal analytical platform for single-cell analysis. We developed a microfluidic droplet splitting system integrated with a flow-focusing structure and multi-step splitting structures to form 8-line droplets and encapsulate single cells in the droplets. Droplet generation frequency reached1021 Hz with the aqueous phase flow rate of 1 m L/min and the oil phase flow rate of 15 mL /min. Relative standard deviation of the droplet size was less than 5% in a single channel, while less than 6% in all the8 channels. The system was used for encapsulating human whole blood cells. A single-cell encapsulation efficiency of 31% was obtained with the blood cell concentration of 2.5× 10~4cells/mL, and the multicellular droplet percentage was only 1.3%. The multi-step droplet splitting system for single cell encapsulation featured simple structure and high throughput.     

Light‐Directing Omnidirectional Circularly Polarized Reflection from Liquid‐Crystal Droplets

Constructing and tuning self‐organized three‐dimensional (3D) superstructures with tailored functionality is crucial in the nanofabrication of smart molecular devices. Herein we fabricate a self‐organized, phototunable 3D photonic superstructure from monodisperse droplets of one‐dimensional cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) containing a photosensitive chiral molecular switch with high helical twisting power. The droplets are obtained by a glass capillary microfluidic technique by dispersing into PVA solution that facilitates planar anchoring of the liquid‐crystal molecules at the droplet surface, as confirmed by the observation of normal incidence selective circular polarized reflection in all directions from the core of individual droplet. Photoirradiation of the droplets furnishes dynamic reflection colors without thermal relaxation, whose wavelength can be tuned reversibly by variation of the irradiation time. The results provided clear evidence on the phototunable reflection in all directions.     

In原子在GaAs(001)表面的成核与扩散研究

近年来,半导体量子点特别是InAs量子点的基本物理性质和潜在应用得到了广泛研究。许多研究者利用InAs量子点结构的改变以调制其光电特性。本文采用液滴外延法在GaAs(001)表面沉积了不同沉积量的In(3 ML、4 ML、5 ML),以研究In的成核机制和表面扩散。实验发现,随着In沉积量的增加,液滴尺寸(包括直径、高度)明显增大。不仅如此,在相同的衬底温度下,沉积量越大,液滴密度越大。利用经典成核理论,计算了GaAs(001)表面In液滴形成的临界厚度为0.57 ML,计算的结果与已报道的实验一致。从In原子在表面的迁移和扩散,以及衬底中Ga和液滴中的In之间的原子互混原理解释了In液滴形成和形貌演化的机理。实验中得到的In液滴临界厚度以及In液滴在GaAs(001)上成核机理,可以为制备InAs量子点提供实验指导。     

Expansion,injection and micro-explosion phenomena during the full combustion cycle of mixed fuel droplets of ethyl alcohol and biodiesel

In this study, mixed fuel droplets of ethyl alcohol and biodiesel with different volumes or ratios were prepared and the related expansion, injection and micro-explosion phenomena were investigated. During the tests, a mixed-fuel droplet was hung on a high-temperature-resistant Cr-Ni wire, which was transported to the preheating piston for heating and then was ignited automatically. Micro-needles and an infusion set also were employed to prepare mixed droplets with identical ratios but different volumes. Using a single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera, colour videos that captured the combustion process of the mixed droplets were taken and were processed into colour images using Adobe Premiere Pro CC. The colour image series were analysed to determine the ignition delay time, the burnout time and the flame characteristics during combustion of mixed droplets with different ratios. Instantaneous grey images were obtained by means of high-speed photography during combustion of the mixed droplets with different volumes and different ratios, and of droplets of E40 (in which the volume ratio of ethyl alcohol was 40%). Using Image pro plus and Origin software, the variation of normalised mean droplet diameter with time over the whole combustion cycle was calculated and the underlying reasons for various combustion phenomena were analysed.     

Observation of the Q(3/2) Λ-doublet transitions for X2Π3/2 OD in helium nanodroplets

The deuteroxyl radical (OD) has been isolated in superfluid helium nanodroplets and characterised by infrared depletion spectroscopy. Two resolved Q(3/2) lines are observed, with a separation that is 4.88 (10) times larger than in the gas phase. This is similar to that previously reported for He-solvated OH (5.30 (2)), for which it was shown that the splitting could be reproduced by a model that assumes a small parity dependence of the rotor's effective moment of inertia [P.L. Raston, T. Liang, and G.E. Douberly, J. Phys. Chem. A (2013). DOI:10.1021/jp312335q]. With this model, the OD Λ-doublet splitting in liquid He is reproduced with B^e and B^f rotational constants that differ by ≈0.24%.     

Microfluidic fabrication of water-in-water droplets encapsulated in hydrogel microfibers

By combining microfiber spinning techniques with aqueous two phase system (ATPS), a rapid and simple strategy to fabricate water-in-water (w/w) droplets encapsulated in microfibers was proposed for the first time. Hydrophilic environment in hydrogel and the fiber format facilitates higher biocompatibility, convenient manipulation of the droplets and recycling of the contents inside droplets, which would have promising development in biological, pharmacological and environmental fields.     

The effects of coil–stretch transition behavior of polyfluorene inks on single droplet formation during inkjet printing

For drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet printing, stable and single ink droplet formation without satellite dots is the key to improve the print quality. The formation of stable and single droplet is influenced by filament break up and the polymer chain’s coil–stretch transition behavior. In this paper, the droplet formation behaviors of polyfluorene (PFO) ink at various driving voltages (V), polymer chain’s coil–stretch transition mechanism and its effects on single ink droplet formation are investigated. It indicates that when 58 < V ≤ 63 V, a single and stable droplet is formed with a pulse time of 38.5 μs. At this stage, the Weissenberg number (Wi) < 0.5, the PFO molecular chain is coiled to guarantee stable and single droplets. When V > 63 V, Wi > 0.5, the PFO molecular chain is stretched because of the high hydrodynamic forces, resulting unwanted satellite droplets. When 55 < V ≤ 58 V, the droplet shrinks into the nozzle, which indicates that the kinetic energy supplied by the deformation of the piezoelectric transducer isn't enough to force the droplet to be jetted from the nozzle.