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Updated: May 2, 2026
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Author Spotlight: Developing Synthetic Cells from Programmable Amphiphilic DNA Nanostructures
Published on: May 31, 2024
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Hydrodynamics selects the pathway for displacive transformations in DNA-linked colloidal crystallites
Ian C Jenkins1, Marie T Casey, James T McGinley
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Summary
DNA-linked particle crystals can dynamically evolve. Hydrodynamic correlations guide transformations in colloidal crystals, favoring specific structures and offering new control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Colloidal science
- Materials science
- Crystallography
Background:
- The dynamic evolution versus kinetic arrest of DNA-linked particle crystals is not well understood.
- Micrometer-scale colloidal crystals are of particular interest for their potential dynamic behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the displacive transformation in colloidal binary superlattice crystals.
- To understand the factors governing the spontaneous body-centered cubic to face-centered cubic transformation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a comprehensive suite of computer simulation tools.
- Developed a framework for analyzing displacive transformation pathways.
- Investigated barrierless pathways and the role of hydrodynamic correlations.
Main Results:
- Identified numerous energetically degenerate random hexagonal close-packed end states.
- Found that hydrodynamic correlations induce anisotropic particle mobility.
- Observed strong selection for pathways leading to the face-centered cubic-CuAu-I configuration.
Conclusions:
- Hydrodynamic correlations, not just particle interactions, dictate crystal evolution.
- The findings explain recent experimental observations of spontaneous transformations.
- This research offers insights into controlling structure in colloidal crystalline materials.
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