Physics of Surface Segregation: From Industrial Formulations to Chromatin Organization

Explore the physics of surface segregation in a 32-minute talk by Buddhapriya Chakrabarti, presented at the Erwin Schrödinger International Institute for Mathematics and Physics (ESI) workshop on "Chromatin Modeling: Integrating Mathematics, Physics, and Computation for Advances in Biology and Medicine." Delve into the phenomenon of surface migration, where low molecular weight components preferentially move to the surface in complex polymer mixtures. Discover how this process affects various industrial formulations, from hygiene products to paints and chocolates. Examine the underlying physics of phase separation and wetting phenomena, and learn how theoretical understanding of surface segregation in synthetic formulations can provide valuable insights into biophysical processes. Gain knowledge on how these concepts apply to cellular behavior, including liquid-liquid phase separation, chromatin organization, viral packing, and the rounding behavior observed in dividing cells.