Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.0K
The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael...
2.0K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

2.1K
The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...
2.1K
Polymers02:34

Polymers

35.7K
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
35.7K
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.5K
The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this...
2.5K
Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

7.8K
The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
7.8K
Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

5.2K
Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate....
5.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Hydrodynamic phase separation and morphological evolution in chiral active-passive mixtures.

Soft matter·2026
Same author

Actuation of Cell Layers in Three Dimensions.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026
Same author

Shape-specific fluctuations of an active colloidal interface.

The Journal of chemical physics·2026
Same author

Temperature-Driven Catalytic Switching Enables Sequence-Dependent Amplification of Autocatalytic Ribozymes in Coacervates.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2025
Same author

A minimal mechanism for flocking in phoretically interacting active particles.

Soft matter·2025
Same author

Ewald summing irreducible components of flow around active particles.

The Journal of chemical physics·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature
08:04

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Published on: November 26, 2019

7.2K

Emergent dynamics due to chemo-hydrodynamic self-interactions in active polymers.

Manoj Kumar1, Aniruddh Murali2, Arvin Gopal Subramaniam3

  • 1Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India. manojk@ncbs.res.in.

Nature Communications
|June 8, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Researchers created flexible, active polymers from self-propelled droplets. These polymers exhibit emergent rigidity and propulsion, with dynamics tunable by length and interactions, paving the way for self-morphic active matter.

More Related Videos

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers
08:00

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers

Published on: October 25, 2017

6.9K
Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
16:24

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water

Published on: August 2, 2012

18.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature
08:04

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Published on: November 26, 2019

7.2K
DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers
08:00

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers

Published on: October 25, 2017

6.9K
Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
16:24

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water

Published on: August 2, 2012

18.6K

Area of Science:

  • Synthetic active matter
  • Soft robotics
  • Polymer science

Background:

  • Current synthetic active matter focuses on isolated, self-propelled objects.
  • Designing flexible, active assemblies from autonomous components is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create freely-jointed active polymers using self-propelled droplets.
  • To investigate the emergent properties and dynamics of these active polymers.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesized active polymers using self-propelled droplets as monomeric units.
  • Conducted experiments to observe polymer behavior and dynamics.
  • Utilized simulations of a minimal model to understand emergent dynamics.
  • Tuned chemical and hydrodynamic fields to demonstrate oscillatory propulsion.

Main Results:

  • Active polymers exhibited emergent rigidity (C-shape) and ballistic propulsion.
  • Polymer rigidity and propulsion scaled with chain length.
  • Simulations confirmed dynamics arise from confinement and chemical interactions.
  • Oscillatory dynamics were achieved by tuning field interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Demonstrated the creation of freely-jointed active polymers from self-propelled droplets.
  • Established that emergent rigidity and propulsion are consequences of inter-droplet interactions and confinement.
  • Showcased tunable dynamics, including oscillations, in synthetic active polymers.
  • Highlighted potential first steps towards synthetic self-morphic active matter.