Transient assembly of active materials fueled by a chemical reaction.
Fuel-driven self-assembly of actin filaments and microtubules is a key component of cellular organization. Continuous energy supply maintains these transient biomolecular assemblies far from thermodynamic equilibrium, unlike typical synthetic systems that spontaneously assemble at thermodynamic equilibrium. Here, we report the transient self-assembly of synthetic molecules into active materials, driven by the consumption of a chemical fuel. In these materials, reaction rates and fuel levels, instead of equilibrium composition, determine properties such as lifetime, stiffness, and self-regeneration capability. Fibers exhibit strongly nonlinear behavior including stochastic collapse and simultaneous growth and shrinkage, reminiscent of microtubule dynamics.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, Netherlands.
Job
J
Boekhoven
Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, Netherlands.
Wouter E
WE
Hendriksen
Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, Netherlands.
Ger J M
GJ
Koper
Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, Netherlands. Delft Process Technology Institute, Delft University of Technology, Leeghwaterstraat 39, 2628 CB Delft, Netherlands.
Rienk
R
Eelkema
Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, Netherlands. Delft Process Technology Institute, Delft University of Technology, Leeghwaterstraat 39, 2628 CB Delft, Netherlands.
Jan H
JH
van Esch