Tunable topology and mechanically-induced order-parameter stiffening in density-modulated vesicles

Tunable topology and mechanically-induced order-parameter stiffening in density-modulated vesicles | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Tunable topology and mechanically-induced order-parameter stiffening in density-modulated vesicles Satoshi AYA, Enjun Lin, Bixin Jin, Zihua Chen, Yu Zou, Ding He, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8858721/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Self-assembly is a fundamental phenomenon prevalent in nature, yielding a variety of geometric and structural patterns. In biological systems, liquid-crystalline components, such as actin, microtubules, and filaments, play crucial roles in shaping the cellular environment. In this study, we have mimicked these natural self-assembly processes through creating liquid-crystalline block copolymers that spontaneously assemble into density-modulated vesicles in solution. We have established a general state diagram that illustrates various vesicle shapes and topology, ranging from spherical to ellipsoidal and sharply elongated, based on the balance between liquid-crystalline ordering and the elastic deformability of the vesicles. These distinct features are characterized by complex, spatially-varying and density-modulated orientational fields and defects, leading to topology-coupled mechanical deformation when subjected to pressure. Our findings provide guidelines for leveraging liquid-crystalline interactions in designing synthetic anisotropic microstructures, and controlling their local mechanical properties. Physical sciences/Materials science/Soft materials/Polymers Physical sciences/Materials science/Soft materials/Self-assembly Physical sciences/Materials science/Soft materials/Liquid crystals Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8858721","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":605147435,"identity":"03a2510a-adf9-4dd0-b6ca-ffdd93d7e1fe","order_by":0,"name":"Satoshi 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