Structural Food Physics and
Soft Matter Self-Assembly

This ERC funded PATHFINDER project aims to develop highly selective filtration membranes capable of transporting specific molecules through existing or bio-engineered membrane protein transporters. Initially the aim is a proof-of-concept experiment to extract complex high-value oligosaccharides from bulk biomass and phosphate from wastewater. Our group leads a work package on structural characterization using mainly x-ray and neutron scattering methods combined with advanced imaging.

Main collaborators: Aquaporin and A. Goddard, R. Bill, A. Rothnie, P. Durham and M. Derry (Aston University, UK)

ABC-STAR

This NNF funded NERD project is anchored with Prof. K. Almdal at DTU and is focused on the self-assembly of ABC miktoarm star block copolymers. As shown by previous work in our group, these molecules are known to form a range of complex phases but now we are experimentally and theoretically investigating the role of so-called ‘conformational asymmetry’ as a new control parameter which might favor for example the formation of quasicrystals. We are leading the theory effort using molecular simulations, self-consistent field theory and various theoretical considerations.

Main collaborators: K. Almdal (DTU, Denmark), D. Posselt (Roskilde University, Denmark) and G. Schröder-Turk (Murdoch University, Australia)

PEAS & peas...

The PEAS project headed by R. Lametsch at KU-FOOD will use the potential genetic variations that exist in the more than 2,400 pea accessions in the Nordic genebank to select pea seeds having an optimal protein composition of albumins, globulins and individual proteins (e.g. legumins and vicilins) suitable for adding optimal gelling functionality to plant-based foods. We are contributing with structural studies of selected pea accessions and their structural properties during gelation. In addition to PEAS we work on related questions with several other researchers locally and nationally.

Main collaborators: R. Lametsch, V. Orlien (KU FOOD), M. Corredig (Aarhus University)

Digestion and structure in milk and plant emulsions

In this project, using milk and plant lipids as initial substrates, we aim to develop a deep understanding of the evolution of structure in dairy related foods during digestion. Calcium plays a critical yet ill-defined role in this sense, so an element of the program will be focused on linking calcium concentration and disposition with structural transformations. We are using x-ray scattering as the main structural tool doing in situ digestion experiments combined with synchrotron SAXS.

Main collaborators: B. Boyd (KU-FARMA) and Arla

Hyperbolic order in curved materials

We are studying self-assembly of various block copolymers on hyperbolic surfaces aiming to understand the role of negative curvature on pattern formation and the link to patterns in the hyperbolic plane where we have developed new software to seamlessly ‘map’ between 2D curved and 3D euclidean space.

Main collaborators: M. C. Pedersen (NBI) and S. Hyde (Australia)

AF4-SAXS

We are collaborating with Prof. Lars Nilssons group at Lund University on the data analysis of combined AF4-SAXS data. AF4 - Asymmetric Flow Field Flow Fractionation is a versatile fractionation method and together with the MAXIV CoSAXS beamline a range of experiments have been conducted and we are helping to develop a data analysis pipeline for this. One example is to look at a range of milk-based systems.

Main collaborators: L. Nilsson and H. Bolinsson (Lund University), M. C. Pedersen (NBI)

Most recent publications

Click here for full list of publications

[111] Pittkowski RK, Punke S, Anker AS, Bornet A, Magnard N, Schlegel N, Graversen LG, Quinson J, Dworzak A, Oezaslan M, J.J.K. Kirkensgaard, Mirolo M, Drnec J, Arenz M and Jensen KMØ Monitoring the structural changes in iridium nanoparticles during oxygen evolution electrocatalysis with operando X-ray total scattering JACS, Accepted (2024)

[110] Stie MB, Cunha C, Huang Z, J.J.K. Kirkensgaard, Tuelung PS, Wan F, Mørck Nielsen H, Fodera V and Rønholt S A head-to-head comparison of polymer interaction with mucin from porcine stomach and bovine submaxillary glands Scientific Reports, Accepted (2024)

[109] Guo K, Tian Y, Podzimska-Sroka D, J.J.K. Kirkensgaard, Herburger K, Enemark-Rasmussen K, Hassenkam T, Larsen Petersen B, Blennow A and Zhong Y Structural evolution of maize starches with different amylose content during pasting and gelation as evidenced by Rapid Visco Analyser Food Chemistry, 461, 140817 (2024)

[108] Czyrski GS, J.J.K. Kirkensgaard, Rønholt S, Rades T and Heinz A Terpene-based Eutectic Mixtures for Cutaneous Delivery: Does the Eutectic Point Matter? Journal of Molecular Liquids, 411, 125726 (2024)

[107] Dons T, J.J.K. Kirkensgaard, Candelario V, Andersen U and Ahrné L Structural and Physical-Chemical Properties of Milk Fat Globules Fractionated by a Series of Silicon Carbide Membranes Food Research International, 192, 114680 (2024)