Abstract

When a complex mixture of two or more motile polymers with a surface exposed to the atmosphere is equilibrated, the low molecular weight component preferentially migrates to the surface. This phenomenon termed surface migration plagues many complex industrial formulations from hygiene care to paint to chocolate resulting in loss of function. The physics of phase separation and wetting underpin this fascinating field. I will discuss how a theoretical model of surface segregation in complex synthetic formulations across multiple scales provides insights into many biophysical processes implicated in cellular behaviour such as liquid-liquid phase separation, chromatin organization, viral packing, and rounding behaviour observed in dividing cells.