Korean noodles and Entangled polymer

I finally learned to use the chopstick to eat Korean noodles after a few attempts. The picture showing the noodle trapped between the chopsticks reminds a fundamental principle that DeGennes invoke to understand entangled polymer. In Soft-Matter Physics, polymers are often modeled as a long curly chain that gets entangled.
The noodles dip in the soup is the best analog of polymer in a solution. If the noodles are shorter chain then they don't get entangle and if they are long-chain they can entangle. This property is very similar to what is known for the polymer in a solvent.

Korean noodle wrapped in Chopstick

PS: I kept a text as small as possible and not technical. I try to record the aspect of Soft Matter that I experience during normal life.

Curiosity versus Insecurity driven learning

My working space at my Tokyo residence I think learning/growth in most individuals can originate from two sources, namely, curiosity-driven and insecurity-driven learning processes. Let me first talk about curiosity-driven learning, herein, a mind is self-directed, focused on personal goals, and uses the available knowledge to succeed in their goal. Moreover, the mindset is driven by intrinsic thoughts, with a motivation of growth and free from external pressure or comparison. Such an approach fosters originality, leading to the development of unique ideas and work. In contrast, a n insecure mind more often follows others, always seeks external validation and avoids risks, leading to a path defined by external influences rather than personal aspirations. It is mostly guided by induced thoughts, moreover, ideas are shaped by the expectations and achievements of others. With this mindset, we may have career growth, but we may lose the authenticity and the originality. Howe...

Science: Creating Knowledge or Solving Societal Problems?

Picture from Okinawa island in Japan I want to share my perspective on research, particularly in basic science. I’ve noticed that many renowned scientists, especially physicists, often choose research problems that fascinate and excite them. Interestingly, many of these scientists also have a deep interest in the humanities and arts. They dedicate their resources and efforts to these pursuits, ultimately publishing their findings. Along the way, they develop quantitative and analytical tools or physics-based models to better understand the problems they are investigating. For example, I recently attended a talk by a well-known physicist from the UK who was studying literature from the medieval era. I approached the talk with curiosity but found my interest waning as it progressed, likely due to my limited understanding of literature. However, what really lingered with me was the question: Is this an important problem to study? Should leaders in the fiel...

Live to improve

Pokhara Lake, Nepal In today's society, it's common to be constantly bombarded with images and messages of people who seem to have it all together. From social media influencers with perfectly curated feeds to celebrities with seemingly perfect lives, it's easy to fall into the trap of wanting to prove ourselves to others. However, I believe it's much more important to live to improve rather than prove. Living to prove implies a constant need for external validation. We might feel like we must constantly prove ourselves to others by achieving certain milestones or reaching certain goals. While there's nothing wrong with striving for success, it can be dangerous to base our self-worth solely on the opinions of others. When we live to prove ourselves, we essentially give others control over our lives, which is never a good thing. On the other hand, living to improve means that we're constantly striving to be better versions of ourselves. We're not focused on...

hisay lama

Search This Blog