New papers on Polymers & soft materials
12 new papers on polymers & soft materials in the last 7 days, within Chemistry & materials. These are the 12 Pipette rates most worth reading, with the main result in the authors' own words.
The best of the week
Morphing polymer voxels for dynamic information switching
Here, we report morphing polymeric voxels based on liquid crystal that enable seamless and reversible information display without onboard electrical power or integrated circuitry.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useAqueous lignin adhesive for high-performance wood bonding
To overcome performance trade-offs in lignin adhesives, we developed a formaldehyde-free aqueous adhesive formulation via reactive cysteine-functionalized lignin, achieving high performance with an unprecedentedly low lignin loading (20 wt %), which is sprayable and injectable and exhibits excellent fluidity (1.96 mPa·s, 10 3 s −1 ).
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useActive textiles move in confined areas
Here, we demonstrate that embedding contracting threads into the versatile topologies of bobbin lace creates reconfigurable textiles that operate within fixed boundaries.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useProgramming Interfacial Function through Alternating Sequence in Amphiphilic Copolymers
This work establishes alternating sequence as a programmable design parameter in amphiphilic polymers and expands sequence-controlled polymer chemistry to biologically relevant interfacial systems.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useAI-assisted analytical theory in soft matter and multiphysics: new results and lessons from diffusiophoresis and bipolar membranes
We present a framework to advance analytical theory in the area of soft matter and multiphysics using assistance from AI.
PreprintNonalternating Chain Walking Polymerization Enables In-Chain Ketone Polyolefin Elastomers
Here, we employ an α-imino-ketone nickel platform featuring both electronic asymmetry and axial shielding to circumvent this kinetic challenge, enabling the synthesis of high-molecular-weight (up to 476 kg mol–1), branched polyethylene plastics and elastomers featuring well-defined in-chain ketone functionalities.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyReal-world useSolid–vapor synthesis of dynamic crystalline one-dimensional supramolecular polymers from amorphous macrocycles
Herein, we report a highly dynamic CSP (CSP-1) via a unique solid–vapor host–guest-driven synthetic strategy, which integrates solid–vapor host–guest-driven condensation, host–guest-driven supramolecular polymerization, and crystallization of polymeric chains into a single step.
Peer-reviewed journalNegative Interfacial Tension Driven by Intrinsic Molecular Disorder
Using a minimal coupled field theory that explicitly links a conserved density field to a nonconserved “junction” field representing stochastic binding site density, we show that the attraction between two fields χ, together with the fluctuations in the junction field Tϵ, renormalizes the effective interfacial tension to negative values: Δγ ∼ −Tϵχ2.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyStiffen and toughen poly(vinyl alcohol) gels via synergistic dehydration and salting out
The resultant gel achieves tensile stress of 66.2 MPa, stiffness of 334.2 MPa and toughness of 235.7 MJ m−3, demonstrating a synergistic enhancement that reconciles the long-standing stiffness-toughness trade-off in PVA gels.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useAlternating Copolymerization of Arynes and Aldehydes Enabled by an N -Arylamine Initiator
Abstract Here, we report the direct alternating copolymerization of arynes and aldehydes initiated by a simple N-arylamine.
Peer-reviewed journalBiocompatible piezoionic eutectogel sensor for self-powered physiological monitoring
Here, we report a biocompatible deep eutectic solvent-polyvinyl alcohol (DES-PVA) eutectogel featuring a robust piezoionic response and practical wearable sensing capabilities.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useDifferential Effects of α-Synuclein Monomers and Seeds on the Material Properties of Tau Condensates
These findings provide quantitative insights into condensate mechanics, highlighting the unique capacity of αSyn seeds to modulate Tau condensate viscosity, which may underlie the formation of pathological aggregates.
Peer-reviewed journal