Softening Theory of Matter Tuning Atomic Border to Make Soft Materials

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Softening Theory that explains how tuning atomic-level boundaries can significantly reduce the melting point of materials, aiding in the development of soft matter with desired properties.

Contribution

The paper proposes a new theoretical framework linking atomic boundary tuning to material softening, supported by classical models and experimental observations.

Findings

Melting point reduction correlates with atomic boundary tuning.

Atomic interactions generate forces that affect macroscopic fluidity.

The theory aligns with the nuclear droplet model and explains size-dependent melting point changes.

Abstract

Regulation of material softness has both theoretical and practical significances due to irreplaceable applications of soft matter in rather diverse areas. This article is dedicated to draft a theoretical category on interpreting the mechanisms lying behind all soft matters, which can be termed as Softening Theory. A technical strategy with generalized purpose was proposed for softening desired matter, i.e. the melting point of matter can be significantly reduced through tuning its interior boundaries in atomic level. This theory accords well with the classical nuclear droplet model that treats the nucleus as a droplet which had successfully explained many phenomena. It also explained the experimental fact that, the material's melting point is drastically reduced as the particles become smaller enough, in which situations effects of the atomic borders become much weaker. Along this direction, many phenomena existing in nature can be well understood. For example, if keeping in mind the fact that an atom consisting of nucleus and electronics can be regarded as fluid, all the matter consisted of atoms should maintain fluidic state in their macroscopic scale, according to the consistency between macro and micro worlds. However, many substances just cannot remain their original atomic fluidic behavior due to breaking of the consistency between macro and micro states. Based on the current softening theory, it is now easy to understand that the breaking of such consistency is just caused due to generated forces from the atomic interactions. To resolve such intrinsic confinement, a group of potential technical approaches can be developed to tune the atomic borders of the matter and thus make desired soft materials. This work provides a theoretical foundation to partially address the nature of the material which will aid to make future soft matters in the coming time.