Defence of doctoral thesis: Ahmad Reza Motezakker – Dynamics and interactions in entangled nanofibre dispersions

Biopolymers and their networks are fundamental to numerous biological and synthetic systems, with applications ranging from extracellular matrices in biological tissues to engineered nanostructured materials like cellulose-based nanocomposites. Understanding the dynamics of biopolymers in these networks is crucial due to their potential in material science and biotechnology, such as in developing sustainable materials and enhancing drug delivery mechanisms. The intricate network structures, from fibrous matrices in natural systems to designed frameworks in advanced materials, play a pivotal role in determining the mechanical and transport properties of the overall system.

This thesis delves into the dynamics of biopolymers, focusing specifically on the diffusion processes within such networks. The complexity of biopolymer behavior in networked environments involves multiple factors including polymer stiffness, network structure, and the interaction between biopolymer components. The diffusion of biopolymer fibres themselves, as well as nanoparticles within these networks, is explored through detailed coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. These simulations aim to model the nuanced interaction dynamics that influence diffusion, providing insights into how these factors affect biopolymer networks’ rheological properties and functional capabilities.

This work contributes to the broader understanding of how biopolymers behave in complex environments by investigating the fundamental mechanisms of diffusion in biopolymer networks. It addresses the need for a deeper exploration of biopolymer dynamics to inform the design and synthesis of new biomaterials and bio-based materials. The findings from this thesis are expected to offer implications for enhancing the functionality of biopolymer-based systems in various applications, from improving the efficiency of biomaterials used in medical applications to optimizing the performance of bio-based composites in industrial applications. 

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