Researchers at the Raman Research Institute have discovered that sudden temperature changes can temporarily make tightly packed materials flow, a finding that could enhance controlled drug delivery. By using microgel particles to simulate jammed materials, they found that rapid heating can trigger particle rearrangements, leading to a brief, liquid-like state and erasing some structural memory.
This insight is essential for understanding how glassy materials behave, as they act like solids but have liquid-like internal structures. The study, published in the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, highlights how the response of these materials depends on their temperature trajectory, which could ultimately aid in developing targeted drug-release systems and minimizing side effects.
Future research will explore how mechanical shocks affect jammed systems compared to thermal changes.
