Stochastic & Multiscale Modeling and Computation Seminar by Rolf Ryham: Hydrodynamics of Janus Particles Self-Assembled as Vesicles

Speaker: Rolf Ryham, associate professor of mathematics, Fordham University

Title: Hydrodynamics of Janus Particles Self-Assembled as Vesicles

Abstract: Janus particles are widely used for self-assembly of mesoscopic structures with specific functions. We have constructed a model for self-assembly of Janus particles to form bilayer membranes under a hydrophobic potential (SIAM J. Multiscale Modeling, 2020). In our latest work (J. Fluid Mech., 2022), we illustrate the hydrodynamics of a vesicle made of such bilayer membranes. We use boundary integral equations to examine the hydrodynamics under various conditions: a quiescent flow, a planar shear flow, a linear elongation flow, and a Poiseuille flow. The simulation results show strong similarities to the vesicle hydrodynamics of a permeable lipid bilayer membrane and yield flowing conditions such as tank-treading motion, an asymmetric slipper, and membrane rupture. Moreover, the Janus-particle bilayers exhibit intermonolayer slip similar to that for two lipid monolayers and we calculate the friction coefficients.  Additionally, the talk will go into the physical considerations that led to the development of the hydrophobic attraction potential model, some mathematical results dealing with numerical issues, and proposes potential directions of research in mathematical analysis. 

 

Stochastic and Multiscale Modeling and Computation Seminar