2023/08/28 by Nathaniel Conrad, Omar A. Saleh, Conrad, Nathaniel +3
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Engineering · Medicine · #Blood properties and coagulation #FOS: Physical sciences #Nanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies #Protein Structure and Dynamics #Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2308.14699
openalex publication_date 2023/08/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
We measure the rheology of transient hydrogels comprised of a single type of DNA nanostar that makes both strong and weak bonds. These gels exhibit power-law frequency-dependence of their storage and loss moduli, with scaling exponents that depend on the proportions of the two bonds. A diffusive stress-relaxation model, in which the strong-bond sub-network relieves stress by diffusing through an effective viscosity imposed by the weak bonds, explains the scaling of their moduli. The model has implications for the fractal dimensions of the strong-bond sub-network that are in good agreement with measurements and makes testable predictions for the viscoelasticity of other transient hydrogels. Overall, this work demonstrates the power of DNA nanotechnology to decipher, and potentially rationally design, power-law rheology.