Computational multiphase and multi-material soft matter
The physical environments both inside and outside the cells offer a rich playground for soft matter physicists – condensates, chromatin, cytoskeletal filaments, membranes, vesicles, viscoelastic fluids, gels, colloids, and even liquid crystals. Often, they exist in close proximity due to the crowded nature of the cellular environments. How do these materials interact, evolve, self-assemble, and function together? What emergent properties arise from the combination of these basic building blocks?
To address these questions, we develop novel computational methods for simulating multiphase and multimaterial systems. Our approach bridges and extends multiscale simulation techniques, integrating tools from solid mechanics, fluid dynamics, phase field models, and particle-based simulations.
Publications:
- Theory of chemically driven pattern formation in phase-separating liquids and solids Hongbo Zhao, Martin Z. Bazant arxiv Read more
- Condensate-driven interfacial forces reposition DNA loci and measure chromatin viscoelasticity, Amy R. Strom, Yoonji Kim, Hongbo Zhao, Natalia Orlovsky, Yi-Che Chang, Andrej Košmrlj, Cornelis Storm, Clifford P. Brangwynne, Cell (2024) Read more
Active matter in complex environments
From bacteria swimming in complex fluids to the dynamic interplay between chromatin and transcriptional condensates, life operates at the intersection of nonequilibrium activities and complex environments. Forces driving systems far from equilibrium—such as motility, sensing, nonreciprocal interactions, and growth—add a new dimension to soft matter, leading to rich pattern formation, emergent phenomena, and essential biological functions.
We aim to deepen our understanding of active matter in these contexts, while also paving the way for breakthroughs in synthetic life and advanced functional materials.
Publications:
- Chemotactic motility-induced phase separation, Hongbo Zhao, Andrej Košmrlj, Sujit Datta, Physical Review Letters (2023) Read more