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Capillary-bridge─derived particles with negative Gaussian curvature

A letter by Liming Wang and Thomas J McCarthy* published in the current issue of PNAS.

The McCarthy group reported the preparation of particles by polymerization of liquid monomer capillary bridges to form catenoid-shaped particles that exhibit negative Gaussian curvature. The shape of the capillary bridges and resulting particles can be finely tuned using multiple addressable parameters. The catenoid-shaped particles exhibit controllable optical properties as a result of their concave menisci. The approach was scaled down to micron dimensions and arrays of millions of micron-scale particles were prepared. With special dynamic wetting behaviors, catenoid-shaped particles also exhibit interesting anisotropic adhesive properties.

April 3, 2015