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Collective chemomechanical oscillations in active hydrogels.

Baptiste Blanc1,2,3, Johnson N Agyapong3,4, Ian Hunter3

  • 1Laboratoire Jean Perrin, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Paris 75005, France.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|February 1, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Chemomechanical Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) hydrogel beads exhibit collective chemical oscillations when assembled. This quorum sensing behavior enhances their oscillatory strain, paving the way for autonomous, motile hydrogel swarms.

Keywords:
chemomechanicsnonlinear dynamicreaction–diffusion

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Area of Science:

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Soft Matter Physics

Background:

  • Single Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) hydrogel beads below a critical size do not oscillate.
  • Collective behavior in chemical systems can lead to emergent properties not observed in isolated components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the collective response of chemomechanical BZ hydrogel beads.
  • To understand the transition from non-oscillating to oscillating states in BZ hydrogel assemblies.
  • To explore the potential of collective effects for enhancing hydrogel oscillation and motility.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental observation of BZ hydrogel bead assemblies.
  • Development of a BZ chemical model incorporating chemical flux.
  • Analysis of quorum sensing behavior to trigger chemomechanical oscillations.

Main Results:

  • Assemblies of BZ hydrogel beads exhibit chemical oscillations, unlike isolated beads.
  • A chemical model confirmed that inhibitor flux out of the hydrogels drives oscillations.
  • Neighboring beads reduce the critical size required for oscillation in assemblies.
  • Quorum sensing was successfully leveraged to trigger chemomechanical oscillations.

Conclusions:

  • Collective behavior is crucial for initiating oscillations in BZ hydrogel beads.
  • The findings provide a foundation for designing autonomous, communicating, and motile hydrogel swarms.
  • This work enhances the understanding of coupled chemical and mechanical oscillations in soft materials.