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Sarah Schyck
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7 records found
1
As society seeks alternatives to energy-intensive manufacturing, biological growth offers an underexplored route for material fabrication. While prior studies have demonstrated direct ink writing of mycelium-based composites, these approaches often use mycelium only as a structural filler. Here, we exploit active hyphal growth as a post-printing, growth-driven functionalization mechanism to self-assemble particles and tune material properties. When micro- and nano-particles are introduced into the liquid growth medium, their incorporation follows distinct, size-dependent pathways. Nanoparticles adsorb onto and armor the hyphae, whilst micron-sized particles become physically entangled within the growing network. By printing inoculated, cross-linkable hydrogels via direct ink writing, we spatially confine the mycelial architecture without disrupting growth. We introduce selective particle deposition using a dissolvable gelatin mask, enabling localized functionalization. We explore how the shape morphology evolves as the mycelium grows from the hydrogel scaffold into the media. Incorporation of conductive carbon particles enhances the native bioelectric signaling, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio by 2.7-fold and peak amplitude by 9-fold. Together, these findings establish a growth-programmable living fabricating strategy, where multifunctional materials can self-assemble through the natural expansion of living networks.
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As society seeks alternatives to energy-intensive manufacturing, biological growth offers an underexplored route for material fabrication. While prior studies have demonstrated direct ink writing of mycelium-based composites, these approaches often use mycelium only as a structural filler. Here, we exploit active hyphal growth as a post-printing, growth-driven functionalization mechanism to self-assemble particles and tune material properties. When micro- and nano-particles are introduced into the liquid growth medium, their incorporation follows distinct, size-dependent pathways. Nanoparticles adsorb onto and armor the hyphae, whilst micron-sized particles become physically entangled within the growing network. By printing inoculated, cross-linkable hydrogels via direct ink writing, we spatially confine the mycelial architecture without disrupting growth. We introduce selective particle deposition using a dissolvable gelatin mask, enabling localized functionalization. We explore how the shape morphology evolves as the mycelium grows from the hydrogel scaffold into the media. Incorporation of conductive carbon particles enhances the native bioelectric signaling, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio by 2.7-fold and peak amplitude by 9-fold. Together, these findings establish a growth-programmable living fabricating strategy, where multifunctional materials can self-assemble through the natural expansion of living networks.
Spherical polymeric particles are essential in a wide range of applications, from fundamental self-assembly to bioseparation technologies, with well-established synthetic methodologies. However, incorporating functional components into polymeric matrices to enhance their properties remains a significant challenge, especially when uniformity is required. In this study, we introduce a simple and versatile emulsion evaporation method to fabricate magnetic-loaded polymeric microparticles with exceptional malleability. These composite particles maintain their magnetic functionality while being reshaped into ellipsoids through mechanical stretching. This scalable and straightforward approach offers precise control over particle morphology, offering broad potential for applications in soft robotics, drug delivery, and other magnetically responsive systems.
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Spherical polymeric particles are essential in a wide range of applications, from fundamental self-assembly to bioseparation technologies, with well-established synthetic methodologies. However, incorporating functional components into polymeric matrices to enhance their properties remains a significant challenge, especially when uniformity is required. In this study, we introduce a simple and versatile emulsion evaporation method to fabricate magnetic-loaded polymeric microparticles with exceptional malleability. These composite particles maintain their magnetic functionality while being reshaped into ellipsoids through mechanical stretching. This scalable and straightforward approach offers precise control over particle morphology, offering broad potential for applications in soft robotics, drug delivery, and other magnetically responsive systems.
The demand for autonomous, self-propelled active particles is rapidly growing in soft matter research, driven by their potential applications in cargo delivery, environmental remediation, and as valuable models for understanding biological systems. Despite this interest, the challenge of designing highly active and cost-effective microparticles persists. Here, we present a simple and general method to enhance the photocatalytic performance of hematite microparticles through thermal treatment. By calcining the particles in air at 600 °C for varying durations, we achieve significant improvements in their light-driven motility. Optical microscopy tracking reveals up to an 87-fold increase in mean-squared displacement (MSD) at short lag times. Our findings highlight a simple and scalable method to substantially improve the efficiency of hematite microparticles, and this advancement opens new avenues for their application in key areas of soft matter and photocatalysis research.
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The demand for autonomous, self-propelled active particles is rapidly growing in soft matter research, driven by their potential applications in cargo delivery, environmental remediation, and as valuable models for understanding biological systems. Despite this interest, the challenge of designing highly active and cost-effective microparticles persists. Here, we present a simple and general method to enhance the photocatalytic performance of hematite microparticles through thermal treatment. By calcining the particles in air at 600 °C for varying durations, we achieve significant improvements in their light-driven motility. Optical microscopy tracking reveals up to an 87-fold increase in mean-squared displacement (MSD) at short lag times. Our findings highlight a simple and scalable method to substantially improve the efficiency of hematite microparticles, and this advancement opens new avenues for their application in key areas of soft matter and photocatalysis research.
Journal article
(2024)
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Sarah Schyck, Pietro Marchese, Muhamad Amani, Mark Ablonczy, Linde Spoelstra, Mitchell Jones, Yaren Bathaei, Alexander Bismarck, Kunal Masania
Signaling pathways in fungi offer a profound avenue for harnessing cellular communication and have garnered considerable interest in biomaterial engineering. Fungi respond to environmental stimuli through intricate signaling networks involving biochemical and electrical pathways, yet deciphering these mechanisms remains a challenge. In this review, an overview of fungal biology and their signaling pathways is provided, which can be activated in response to external stimuli and direct fungal growth and orientation. By examining the hyphal structure and the pathways involved in fungal signaling, the current state of recording fungal electrophysiological signals as well as the landscape of fungal biomaterials is explored. Innovative applications are highlighted, from sustainable materials to biomonitoring systems, and an outlook on the future of harnessing fungi signaling in living composites is provided.
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Signaling pathways in fungi offer a profound avenue for harnessing cellular communication and have garnered considerable interest in biomaterial engineering. Fungi respond to environmental stimuli through intricate signaling networks involving biochemical and electrical pathways, yet deciphering these mechanisms remains a challenge. In this review, an overview of fungal biology and their signaling pathways is provided, which can be activated in response to external stimuli and direct fungal growth and orientation. By examining the hyphal structure and the pathways involved in fungal signaling, the current state of recording fungal electrophysiological signals as well as the landscape of fungal biomaterials is explored. Innovative applications are highlighted, from sustainable materials to biomonitoring systems, and an outlook on the future of harnessing fungi signaling in living composites is provided.
Journal article
(2023)
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S.N. Schyck, Janne Mieke Meijer, Max P. Schelling, Andrei V. Petukhov, L. Rossi
The self-assembly of materials driven by the inherent directionality of the constituent particles is of both practical and fundamental interest because it enables the fabrication of complex and hierarchical structures with tailored functionalities. By employing evaporation assisted self-assembly, we form opal-like structures with micro-sized magnetic superball particles. We study the structure formation of different superball shapes during evaporation of a dispersion droplet with in-situ small angle x-ray scattering with microradian resolution in the absence and presence of an external magnetic field. In the absence of a magnetic field, strong shape-dependent structures form as the water evaporates from the system. Applying a magnetic field to the droplet has a unique effect on the system; strong magnetic fields inhibit the growth of well-ordered assemblies due to the formation of out-of-equilibrium dipolar structures while lower magnetic fields allow particles to rearrange and orient without inhibition. In this work, we show how the superball assembly inside a droplet can be controlled by the magnetic field strength and the superball shape. The tunability of these parameters not only enables the controllable formation of macroscopic colloidal assemblies but also opens up possibilities for the development of functional materials with tailored properties on a macro-scale.
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The self-assembly of materials driven by the inherent directionality of the constituent particles is of both practical and fundamental interest because it enables the fabrication of complex and hierarchical structures with tailored functionalities. By employing evaporation assisted self-assembly, we form opal-like structures with micro-sized magnetic superball particles. We study the structure formation of different superball shapes during evaporation of a dispersion droplet with in-situ small angle x-ray scattering with microradian resolution in the absence and presence of an external magnetic field. In the absence of a magnetic field, strong shape-dependent structures form as the water evaporates from the system. Applying a magnetic field to the droplet has a unique effect on the system; strong magnetic fields inhibit the growth of well-ordered assemblies due to the formation of out-of-equilibrium dipolar structures while lower magnetic fields allow particles to rearrange and orient without inhibition. In this work, we show how the superball assembly inside a droplet can be controlled by the magnetic field strength and the superball shape. The tunability of these parameters not only enables the controllable formation of macroscopic colloidal assemblies but also opens up possibilities for the development of functional materials with tailored properties on a macro-scale.
Colloidal particles, essential building blocks known since the 1800s, continue to captivate researchers. This thesis delves into their significance by investigating anisotropic particle design, shape-driven self-assembly, and enhancing magnetic colloids' role as active swimmers. It also introduces innovative methods for crafting anisotropic composite magnetic microparticles. The first half of the thesis focuses on self-assembling colloidal superballs, revealing arrangements through small-angle x-ray scattering during droplet evaporation. Incorporating permanent magnetic superballs adds complexity, unveiling dipole-induced structures. Magnetic field effects on assembly are also observed, offering insights into tunable macroscopic colloidal assembly formation. Furthermore, the work aims to improve photocatalytic hematite microparticles, essential for applications like self-propelled motion. Here, calcination substantially heightens their activity. Lastly, diverse techniques for crafting anisotropic composite magnetic microparticles are explored, concluding with future prospects in this dynamic field of soft matter.
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Colloidal particles, essential building blocks known since the 1800s, continue to captivate researchers. This thesis delves into their significance by investigating anisotropic particle design, shape-driven self-assembly, and enhancing magnetic colloids' role as active swimmers. It also introduces innovative methods for crafting anisotropic composite magnetic microparticles. The first half of the thesis focuses on self-assembling colloidal superballs, revealing arrangements through small-angle x-ray scattering during droplet evaporation. Incorporating permanent magnetic superballs adds complexity, unveiling dipole-induced structures. Magnetic field effects on assembly are also observed, offering insights into tunable macroscopic colloidal assembly formation. Furthermore, the work aims to improve photocatalytic hematite microparticles, essential for applications like self-propelled motion. Here, calcination substantially heightens their activity. Lastly, diverse techniques for crafting anisotropic composite magnetic microparticles are explored, concluding with future prospects in this dynamic field of soft matter.
Journal article
(2022)
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Sarah Schyck, Janne Mieke Meijer, Lucia Baldauf, Peter Schall, Andrei V. Petukhov, Laura Rossi
Understanding the relationship between colloidal building block shape and self-assembled material structure is important for the development of novel materials by self-assembly. In this regard, colloidal superballs are unique building blocks because their shape can smoothly transition between spherical and cubic. Assembly of colloidal superballs under spherical confinement results in macroscopic clusters with ordered internal structure. By utilizing Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS), we probe the internal structure of colloidal superball dispersion droplets during confinement. We observe and identify four distinct drying regimes that arise during compression via evaporating droplets, and we track the development of the assembled macrostructure. As the superballs assemble, we found that they arrange into the predicted paracrystalline, rhombohedral C1-lattice that varies by the constituent superballs’ shape. This provides insights in the behavior between confinement and particle shape that can be applied in the development of new functional materials.
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Understanding the relationship between colloidal building block shape and self-assembled material structure is important for the development of novel materials by self-assembly. In this regard, colloidal superballs are unique building blocks because their shape can smoothly transition between spherical and cubic. Assembly of colloidal superballs under spherical confinement results in macroscopic clusters with ordered internal structure. By utilizing Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS), we probe the internal structure of colloidal superball dispersion droplets during confinement. We observe and identify four distinct drying regimes that arise during compression via evaporating droplets, and we track the development of the assembled macrostructure. As the superballs assemble, we found that they arrange into the predicted paracrystalline, rhombohedral C1-lattice that varies by the constituent superballs’ shape. This provides insights in the behavior between confinement and particle shape that can be applied in the development of new functional materials.