The self-organization of macromolecules with a complex architecture is studied extensively in the last years, with the aim to nanostructure surfaces. Linear diblock copolymers with mutual antagonistic groups are a simple, much investigated system, since the respective block lengths determine the size of the nanostructure[1]. Yet little is known about the equilibrium structure when the forces fr...

We study by molecular dynamics simulations the wetting/dewetting transition and the dependence of the free energy on distance between plates that contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles. We show that dewetting and strength of hydrophobic interaction is very sensitive to the distribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains. In particular, we find that plates characterized by a larg...

An "inorganic micelle" structure that has a hydrophilic cavity and hydrophobic surface has been synthesized. The inorganic micelles possess large surface area and controllable hydrophobic/hydrophilic interface. It shows high catalytic efficiency and great recyclability in the bromination of alcohols. This work suggests that inorganic micelles may be suitable for selective organic syntheses as w...

Diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) modulate chromatic aberration and reduce it at certain distances due to interactions between the refractive diffractive components. However, extent which computer modeling on bench measurements of IOL translate in patients implanted with these IOLs (MIOLs) is not yet fully understood. In this study, we compare difference focus longitudinal aberra...

Molecular dynamic simulations were employed to study a waterlike model confined between hydrophobic and hydrophilic plates. The phase behavior of this system is obtained for different distances between the plates and particle-plate potentials. For both hydrophobic and hydrophilic walls, there are the formation of layers. Crystallization occurs at lower temperature at the contact layer than at t...

Surfactants are amphiphilic compounds that have a molecular structure containing both a hydrophilic (water loving) and a hydrophobic (water hating) region. The hydrophobic region is usually a long chain aliphatic hydrocarbon, whereas the hydrophilic portion can be composed of an ionic or non-ionic polar group. The physical nature of these molecules bestows the ability to reduce surface tension ...

The adhesion forces of cervical carcinoma cells in tissue culture were measured by using the manipulation force microscope, a novel atomic force microscope. The forces were studied as a function of time and temperature for cells cultured on hydrophilic and hydrophobic polystyrene substrates with preadsorbed proteins. The cells attached faster and stronger at 37 degreesC than at 23 degreesC and ...

Many chronic degenerative diseases result from aggregation of misfolded polypeptides to form amyloids. Many amyloidogenic polypeptides are surfactants and their assembly can be catalysed by hydrophobic-hydrophilic interfaces (an air-water interface in-vitro or membranes in-vivo). We recently demonstrated the specificity of surface-induced amyloidogenesis but the mechanisms of amyloidogenesis an...