Polymerization-induced Phase Separation
Polymerization-induced Phase Separation - Related Videos
04:16
Enrichment of Bacterial Lipoproteins Using Non-Ionic Detergent Phase Separation
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2025
Source: Armbruster, K. M., Meredith, T. C. Enrichment of Bacterial Lipoproteins and Preparation of N-terminal Lipopeptides for Structural Determination by Mass Spectrometry. J. Vis. Exp. (2018)This video demonstrates the enrichment of bacterial lipoproteins using a non-ionic detergent that undergoes phase separation upon warming. Through sequential temperature shifts and centrifugation steps, lipoproteins are selectively partitioned into the detergent phase, while non-lipoprotein contaminants...
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Polymerization
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2023
Source: Vy M. Dong and Jan Riedel, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA Polymers are made from macromolecules, which are composed of repeating units (the so called monomeric units). In our modern world, polymers play an important role. One of the first important polymers was nylon, which is a polyamide. It found widespread application in tooth brushes and stockings.
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2025
In this video, we describe a phase separation assay, wherein intracellular proteins comprising intrinsically disordered regions fused to a photosensitive oligomerization domain are induced via blue-light exposure to self-associate into membrane-less liquid-like condensates.
08:02
Separation of Mixtures via Precipitation
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2023
Source: Laboratory of Dr. Ana J. García-Sáez — University of Tübingen Most samples of interest are mixtures of many different components. Sample preparation, a key step in the analytical process, removes interferences that may affect the analysis. As such, developing separation techniques is an important endeavor not just in academia, but also in industry. One way to separate mixtures is to use their solubility properties. In this short paper, we will deal with aqueous solutions. The...
02:43
Thin-Layer Chromatography-Based Separation of (p)ppGpp Nucleotides Isolated from Stress-Induced Bacteria
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2025
Source: Fernández-Coll, L. and Cashel, M. Using Microtiter Dish Radiolabeling for Multiple In Vivo Measurements Of Escherichia coli (p)ppGpp Followed by Thin Layer Chromatography. J. Vis. Exp. (2019)This video presents a high-throughput protocol for measuring the levels and dynamics of the bacterial stress-response nucleotides ppGpp and pppGpp using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The method provides a powerful, rapid, and cost-effective approach to quantifying (p)ppGpp in bacterial cultures...
FAQs
As polymer chains grow, the mixture’s thermodynamics shift because larger molecules become less compatible with the surrounding solvent or additives. This change can lower compatibility enough to favor polymer-rich and solvent-rich regions. The resulting phase structure depends on whether separation begins through discrete nucleation and growth or coordinated spinodal decomposition, influencing the eventual morphology.
These events can freeze the evolving morphology before continued polymerization or molecular rearrangement changes it further. Together, gelation, vitrification, and crosslinking can immobilize separated regions and preserve their developing arrangement. Their timing therefore determines whether domains remain adjustable or become fixed, which is central to producing reproducible engineered microstructures.
Monomer composition, solvent content, temperature, reaction rate, and crosslink density are the principal control variables identified for this process. Changing them alters the developing morphology and helps determine domain size, permeability, mechanical behavior, and overall material performance. Engineers therefore tune these variables as a coupled set when designing the final structure.
Crosslink density influences how freely the separating structure can evolve and how strongly the final material is mechanically connected. Different crosslink densities can therefore change domain size and mechanical behavior, although the outcome also depends on monomer composition, solvent content, temperature, and reaction rate. This makes crosslink density a design variable rather than merely a post-processing detail.
An engineering workflow starts by selecting monomer composition and solvent or additive content, then setting temperature and reaction rate to guide the developing morphology. Crosslink density is adjusted so gelation, vitrification, or crosslinking can preserve the desired structure. The resulting material can then be assessed through domain size, permeability, mechanical behavior, and overall performance.
Engineering applications include porous polymers, membranes, thermoset composites, coatings, and materials with tailored microstructures. In porous polymers and membranes, controlling phase development can help adjust permeability; in composites and coatings, the same strategy supports control of morphology and mechanical behavior. Its value lies in connecting polymerization conditions to structure and, ultimately, material performance.
Morphology links processing conditions to functional performance. Domain size and phase structure can influence permeability, while the evolving polymer network affects mechanical behavior; preserving a selected structure can also determine the usefulness of porous polymers, membranes, composites, or coatings. Consequently, Polymerization-induced Phase Separation provides a route to tailor materials rather than accepting a fixed microstructure.