Abstract

The strong configuration dependence of collective surface plasmon resonances in an array of metal nanoparticles provides an opportunity to develop a bioinspired tool for sensing mechanical deformations in soft matter at the nanoscale. We study the feasibility of a strain sensor based on an icosahedral array of nanoparticles encapsulated by a virus capsid. When the system undergoes deformation, the optical scattering cross-section spectra as well as the induced electric field profile change. By numerical simulations, we examine how these changes depend on the symmetry and extent of the deformation and on both the propagation direction and polarization of the incident radiation. Such a sensor could prove useful in studies of the mechanisms of nanoparticle or virus translocation in the confines of a host cell.

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Dragnea Research is at the forefront of multidisciplinary innovation, exploring the intersection of nanoscale optics, quantum photonics, physical virology, and bio-architected hybrid materials with 3D nanoscale order. Their latest publications highlight groundbreaking advancements in fields such as self-assembly, optics and spectroscopy, and the physical manipulation of virus-like particles (VLPs) for chemical imaging and surface modifications. Drawing from their expertise in using near-field scanning techniques and laser-induced effects, these works showcase how nanoscale phenomena can be harnessed for applications in material science, virology, and beyond. The accompanying visual mosaic underscores the diverse range of their research, from probing molecular dynamics to the development of 3D-ordered structures, all united by a commitment to pushing the boundaries of applied and theoretical science.