Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
11:03
An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Liquidlike Dynamics in Ordered Soft-Particle Systems
José Ruiz-Franco1,2, Alberto Fernandez-Nieves1,2,3
1University of Barcelona, Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Carrer de Martí i Franqués 1, Barcelona, 08028, Spain.
Physical Review Letters
|May 15, 2026
Summary
Single-particle elasticity can decouple material structure from dynamics, allowing liquid-like particle movement within ordered crystalline structures. This finding highlights elasticity
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Computational Physics
Background:
- Material behavior is typically constrained by structure, coupling structural and dynamical properties.
- Understanding this coupling is crucial for designing novel materials with specific dynamic responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how single-particle elasticity affects the structure-dynamics relationship in materials.
- To explore the potential for achieving liquid-like dynamics in crystalline configurations.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations of many-particle systems.
- Analysis of elastic heterogeneity and particle mobility.
- Characterization of structural ordering and dynamical rearrangements.
Main Results:
- Single-particle elasticity can break the conventional coupling between structure and dynamics.
- Liquid-like dynamics were observed within ordered crystalline structures.
- Elastic heterogeneity was identified as the key factor enabling this decoupling.
Conclusions:
- Elasticity is a critical factor in decoupling material structure and dynamics.
- Materials with mobile particles in ordered structures can exhibit liquid-like behavior.
- This research opens new avenues for designing materials with tunable properties.
Related Concept Videos
01:10First Law: Particles in One-dimensional Equilibrium
Newton's first law of motion states that a body at rest remains at rest, or if in motion, remains in motion at constant velocity, unless acted on by a net external force. It also states that there must be a cause for any change in velocity (a change in either magnitude or direction) to occur. This cause is a net external force. For example, consider what happens to an object sliding along a rough horizontal surface. The object quickly grinds to a halt, due to the net force of friction. If we...
01:18First Law: Particles in Two-dimensional Equilibrium
Recall that a particle in equilibrium is one for which the external forces are balanced. Static equilibrium involves objects at rest, and dynamic equilibrium involves objects in motion without acceleration; but it is important to remember that these conditions are relative. For instance, an object may be at rest when viewed from one frame of reference, but that same object would appear to be in motion when viewed by someone moving at a constant velocity.
Newton's first law tells us about the...
Newton's first law tells us about the...
01:29The Colloidal State
The formation of a colloidal system is exemplified by an aqueous solution containing Cl− ions is introduced to another containing Ag+ ions, resulting in the precipitation of solid AgCl as extremely tiny crystals. Instead of settling out as a filterable precipitate, these crystals remain suspended in the liquid, showcasing a colloidal system.A colloidal system involves colloidal particles within the approximate range of 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, dispersed in a medium called the...
01:27Two Components: Liquid–Liquid Systems
A pressure-composition phase diagram explicitly describes the behavior of an ideal solution of two volatile liquids under varying pressures and compositions. A pressure-composition diagram has two main curves. The bubble point curve represents the plot of pressure versus liquid mole fraction. It indicates the pressure at which the first bubble of vapor forms from the liquid phase as the system pressure decreases.The dew point curve is the pressure versus vapor mole fraction. It indicates the...
01:07Laminar and Turbulent Flow
Fluid dynamics is the study of fluids in motion. Velocity vectors are often used to illustrate fluid motion in applications like meteorology. For example, wind—the fluid motion of air in the atmosphere—can be represented by vectors indicating the speed and direction of the wind at any given point on a map. Another method for representing fluid motion is a streamline. A streamline represents the path of a small volume of fluid as it flows. When the flow pattern changes with time, the streamlines...
01:34The Fluid Mosaic Model
The fluid mosaic model was first proposed as a visual representation of research observations. The model comprises the composition and dynamics of membranes and serves as a foundation for future membrane-related studies. The model depicts the structure of the plasma membrane with a variety of components, which include phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. These integral molecules are loosely bound, defining the cell’s border and providing fluidity for optimal function.