TY - JOUR A1 - Bäckemo, Johan Dag Valentin A1 - Liu, Yue A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Bio-inspired and computer-supported design of modulated shape changes in polymer materials JF - MRS communications / a publication of the Materials Research Society N2 - The Venus flytrap is a fascinating plant with a finely tuned mechanical bi-stable system, which can switch between mono- and bi-stability. Here, we combine geometrical design of compliant mechanics and the function of shape-memory polymers to enable switching between bi- and mono-stable states. Digital design and modelling using the Chained Beam Constraint Model forecasted two geometries, which were experimentally realized as structured films of cross-linked poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] supported by digital manufacturing. Mechanical evaluation confirmed our predicted features. We demonstrated that a shape-memory effect could switch between bi- and mono-stability for the same construct, effectively imitating the Venus flytrap. KW - Additive manufacturing KW - Biomimetic KW - Shape memory KW - Modelling KW - Polymer Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-021-00056-6 SN - 2159-6867 VL - 11 IS - 4 SP - 462 EP - 469 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Folikumah, Makafui Y. A1 - Behl, Marc A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Reaction behaviour of peptide-based single thiol-thioesters exchange reaction substrate in the presence of externally added thiols JF - MRS communications / a publication of the Materials Research Society N2 - Identification of patterns in chemical reaction pathways aids in the effective design of molecules for specific applications. Here, we report on model reactions with a water-soluble single thiol-thioester exchange (TTE) reaction substrate, which was designed taking in view biological and medical applications. This substrate consists of the thio-depsipeptide, Ac-Pro-Leu-Gly-SLeu-Leu-Gly-NEtSH (TDP) and does not yield foul-smelling thiol exchange products when compared with aromatic thiol containing single TTE substrates. TDP generates an alpha,omega-dithiol crosslinker in situ in a 'pseudo intramolecular' TTE. Competitive intermolecular TTE of TDP with externally added "basic" thiols increased the crosslinker concentration whilst "acidic" thiols decreased its concentration. TDP could potentially enable in situ bioconjugation and crosslinking applications. KW - Biomaterials KW - Biomimetic KW - Mass spectrometry KW - Nuclear magnetic resonance KW - (NMR) Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-021-00041-z SN - 2159-6859 SN - 2159-6867 VL - 11 IS - 4 SP - 402 EP - 410 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - THES A1 - Kuhrts, Lucas T1 - The effect of Polycations on the Formation of Magnetite Nanoparticles N2 - Nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe3O4) are envisioned to find used in diverse applications, ranging from magnetic data storage, inks, ferrofluids as well as in magnetic resonance imaging, drug delivery, and hyperthermia cancer treatment. Their magnetic properties strongly depend on their size and morphology, two properties that can be synthetically controlled. Achieving appropriate control under soft chemical conditions has so far remained a challenging endeavor. One proven way of exerting this desired control has been using a biomimetic approach that emulates the proteome of magnetotactic bacteria by adding poly-L-arginine in the co- precipitation of ferrous and ferric chloride. The objective of the work presented here is to understand the impact of this polycation on the formation mechanism of magnetite and, through rational design, to enhance the control we can exert on magnetite nanoparticle size and morphology. We developed a SAXS setup to temporally and structurally resolve the formation of magnetite in the presence of poly-L-arginine in situ. Using analytical scattering models, we were able to separate the scattering contribution of a low-density 5 nm iron structure from the contribution of the growing nanoparticles. We identified that the low-density iron structure is a metastable precursor to the magnetite particles and that it is electrostatically stabilized by poly-L-arginine. In a process analogous to biomineralization, the presence of the charged macromolecule thus shifts the reaction mechanism from a thermodynamically controlled one to a kinetically controlled one. We identify this shift in reactions mechanism as the cornerstone of the proposed mechanism and as the crucial step in the paradigm of this extraordinary nanoparticle morphology and size control. Based on SAXS data, theoretical considerations suggest that an observed morphological transition between spherical, solid, and sub-structured mesocrystalline magnetite nanoparticles is induced through a pH-driven change in the wettability of the nanoparticle surface. With these results, we further demonstrate that SAXS can be an invaluable tool for investigating nanoparticle formation. We were able to change particle morphology from spherically solid particles to sub-structured mesocrystals merely by changing the precipitation pH. Improving the synthesis sustainability by substituting poly-L-arginine with renewable, polysaccharide-based polycations produced at the metric ton scale, we demonstrated that the ability to alter the reaction mechanism of magnetite can be generically attributed to the presence of polycations. Through meticulous analysis and the understanding of the formation mechanism, we were able to exert precise control over particle size and morphology, by adapting crucial synthesis parameters. We were thus able to grow mesocrystals up to 200 nm and solid nanocrystals of 100 nm by adding virtually any strong polycation. We further found a way to produce stable single domain magnetite at only slightly increased alkalinity, as magnetotactic bacteria do it. Thus through the understanding of the biological system, the consecutive biomimetic synthesis of magnetite and the following understanding of the mechanism involved in the in vitro synthesis, we managed to improve the synthetic control over the co-precipitation of magnetite, coming close biomineralization of magnetite in magnetotactic bacteria. Polyanions, in both natural as well as in synthetic systems, have been in the spotlight of recent research, yet our work shows the pivotal influence polycations have on the nucleation of magnetite. This work will contribute significantly to our ability to tailor magnetite nanoparticle size and morphology; in addition, we presume it will provide us with a model system for studying biomineralization of magnetite in vitro, putting the spotlight on the important influence of polycations, which have not had the scientific attention they deserve. T2 - Der Effekt von Polykationen auf die Bildung von Magnetitnanopartikeln KW - Mechanism KW - Nanoparticle KW - SAXS KW - Biomimetic KW - Magnetite Y1 - CY - Potsdam ER -