Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Patterning of Microorganisms and Microparticles through Sequential Capillarity-assisted Assembly
Published on: November 4, 2021
Precursors of order in aggregates of patchy particles
Oleg A Vasilyev1, Boris A Klumov, Alexei V Tkachenko
1Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme, Stuttgart, Germany.
Abstract:
We study computationally the local structure of aggregated systems of patchy particles. By calculating the probability distribution functions of various rotational invariants we can identify the precursors of orientation order in amorphous phase. Surprisingly, the strongest signature of local order is observed for four-patch particles with tetrahedral symmetry, not for six-patch particles with the cubic one. This trend is exactly opposite to their known ability to crystallize. We relate this anomaly to the observation that a generic aggregate of patchy systems has a coordination number close to 4. Our results also suggest a significant correlation between rotational order in the studied liquids with the corresponding crystalline phases, making this approach potentially useful for a broader range of patchy systems.
Related Concept Videos
Shape and Texture of Coarse Aggregate
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
Preplaced Aggregate Concrete
Colloidal precipitates
First Law: Particles in One-dimensional Equilibrium
First Law: Particles in Two-dimensional Equilibrium
Newton's first law tells us about the...

