First order phase transition and evidence for frustrations in polyampholytic gels

Takeoka Yukikazu, Berker A. Nihat, Du Rose, Enoki Takashi, Grosberg Alexander, Kardar Mehran, Oya Taro, Tanaka Kazunori, Wang Guoqiang, Yu Xiaohong, Tanaka Toyoichi

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Polyampholyte gel, frustrated by the conflicting interactions between its positive and negative monomers, can undergo a sharp discontinuous phase transition driven by changing either gel composition or solvent quality and/or permeability. This finding completes the investigation of all four major interactions involved in the biomolecular machinery with respect to their role in the behavior of polymer gels, considered here as a model of biopolymer system. The result also sheds light on the possible role of frustrations in biomolecular systems, such as proteins.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)4863-4865
    Number of pages3
    JournalPhysical Review Letters
    Volume82
    Issue number24
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1999

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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