Search results for "electrostatic"

Dielectric response of nanoscopic spherical colloids in alternating electric fields: a dissipative particle dynamics simulation.

2012

We study the response of single nanosized spherical colloids in electrolyte solution to an alternating electric field (AC field) by computer simulations. We use a coarse-grained mesoscopic simulation approach that accounts in full for hydrodynamic and electrostatic interactions as well as for thermal fluctuations. The solvent is modeled as a fluid of single Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) beads, and the colloidal particle is modeled as a rigid body made of DPD beads. We compute the mobility and the polarizability of a single colloid and investigate systematically the effect of amplitude and frequency of the AC-fields. Even though the thickness of the Debye layer is not "thin" compared t…

Stability of biogenic metal(loid) nanomaterials related to the colloidal stabilization theory of chemical nanostructures

2018

In the last 15 years, the exploitation of biological systems (i.e. plants, bacteria, mycelial fungi, yeasts, and algae) to produce metal(loid) (Me)-based nanomaterials has been evaluated as eco-friendly and a cost-effective alternative to the chemical synthesis processes. Although the biological mechanisms of biogenic Me-nanomaterial (Bio-Me-nanomaterials) production are not yet completely elucidated, a key advantage of such bio-nanostructures over those chemically synthesized is related to their natural thermodynamic stability, with several studies ascribed to the presence of an organic layer surrounding these Bio-Me-nanostructures. Different macromolecules (e.g. proteins, peptides, lipids…

The route to protein aggregate superstructures: Particulates and amyloid-like spherulites.

2015

AbstractDepending on external conditions, native proteins may change their structure and undergo different association routes leading to a large scale polymorphism of the aggregates. This feature has been widely observed but is not fully understood yet. This review focuses on morphologies, physico-chemical properties and mechanisms of formation of amyloid structures and protein superstructures. In particular, the main focus will be on protein particulates and amyloid-like spherulites, briefly summarizing possible experimental methods of analysis. Moreover, we will highlight the role of protein conformational changes and dominant forces in driving association together with their connection w…

Charge Pair Interactions in Transmembrane Helices and Turn Propensity of the Connecting Sequence Promote Helical Hairpin Insertion

2013

alpha-Helical hairpins, consisting of a pair of closely spaced transmembrane (TM) helices that are connected by a short interfacial turn, are the simplest structural motifs found in multi-spanning membrane proteins. In naturally occurring hairpins, the presence of polar residues is common and predicted to complicate membrane insertion. We postulate that the pre-packing process offsets any energetic cost of allocating polar and charged residues within the hydrophobic environment of biological membranes. Consistent with this idea, we provide here experimental evidence demonstrating that helical hairpin insertion into biological membranes can be driven by electrostatic interactions between clo…

Spontaneous fragmentation of multiply charged metal clusters.

1987

Interaction of Nanometric Clay Platelets

2008

International audience; The free energy of interaction between two nanometric clay platelets immersed in an electrolyte solution has been calculated using Monte Carlo simulations as well as direct integration of the configurational integral. Each platelet has been modeled as a collection of charged spheres carrying a unit chargethe face of a platelet contains negative charges, and the edge, positive charges. The calculations predict that a configuration of “overlapping coins” is the global free energy minimum at intermediate salt concentrations (10−100 mM). A second weaker minimum, corresponding to the well-known “house of cards” configuration, also appears in this salt interval. At low sal…

Analysis of Multipactor Effect in a Partially Dielectric-Loaded Rectangular Waveguide

2019

This paper 1 presents a study of the multipactor 2 effect in a partially dielectric-loaded rectangular waveguide. 3 To obtain the simulations presented in this paper, a detailed 4 analysis of the dynamics of the electron inside this waveguide 5 has been performed, taking into account the radio frequency 6 electromagnetic fields propagating in the waveguide and the dc 7 electric field that appears because of the charging of the dielectric 8 layer. This electrostatic field is obtained by computing the electric 9 potential produced by an arbitrary charge distribution on the 10 dielectric layer in a dielectric-loaded waveguide. The electron 11 trajectory is then found by numerically solving the…

Time evolution of an electron discharge in a parallel-plate dielectric-loaded waveguide

2006

The objective of this letter is to study the time evolution of a multipactor discharge in a simple dielectric waveguide structure. In particular, the investigation is performed on the case of a parallel-plate waveguide structure partially filled with a dielectric layer. The main consequence of the specific case studied in this letter is the fact that the dielectric layer charges negatively, allowing a negative static field to build up. This dc field eventually leads to a single-surface multipactor in the metallic surface before finally turning off the electron discharge.

Nanocomposites by Electrostatic Interactions:  1. Impact of Sublayer Quality on the Organization of Functionalized Nanoparticles on Charged Self-Asse…

2000

Bis-benzamidines were studied as linkers for the formation of gold nanoparticle assemblies on planar gold surfaces modified with ω-mercaptohexadecanoic acid. In situ ellipsometry, external reflecti...

Lateral force microscopy of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

2009

Carbon nanotubes are usually imaged with the atomic force microscope (AFM) in non-contact mode. However, in many applications, such as mechanical manipulation or elasticity measurements, contact mode is used. The forces affecting the nanotube are then considerable and not fully understood. In this work lateral forces were measured during contact mode imaging with an AFM across a carbon nanotube. We found that, qualitatively, both magnitude and sign of the lateral forces to the AFM tip were independent of scan direction and can be concluded to arise from the tip slipping on the round edges of the nanotube. The dependence on the normal force applied to the tip and on the ratio between nanotub…