Challenges in polymer science: Controlling vesicle-substrate interactions

The mesoscale approaches taken to formulate a new technique for modeling fluid-solid interactions and the challenges faced to control the vesicle-substrate interactions were discussed. The lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) and lattice spring model (LSM) were coupled to simulate the three dimensional behavior of a single-phase fluid that is enclosed in an elastic spherical shell. An important challenge is modeling the viscoelasticity of the microcapsule's polymeric shell or of an underlying polymeric surface. The findings from the studies permit the design of microcapsules for targeted delivery of vital drugs and can help enhance the fundamental understanding of the complex biomechanics involved in a cellular motility.