http://www.bnl.gov/cfn/people/staff.php?q=128

Theoretical Soft Condensed Matter * Programmable Self-assembly * Bio-inspired Nanoscience * Statistical Physics

By combining analytical methods of statistical physics with computer simulations, and working closely with my experimental collaborators, I explore the area of Programmable Self-Assembly. My other interests span across various fields of statistical mechanics, condensed matter, and bio-inspired physics, from entropic phenomena in solids to Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Origin of Life, and (motivated by certain recent events) Epidemic Modeling.

CFN is both the research center and User Facility with the focus on experimental and computational tools for nanoscience, and excellent on-site expertise. We are always looking for new users and potential collaborators. Learn more here

Profiles @

DNA-Based Programmable Self-Assembly

A.V. Tkachenko, Theory of programmable hierarchic self-assembly, Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 255501 (2011)J.D. Halverson & A.V. Tkachenko DNA-programmed mesoscopic architecture, Phys. Rev. E 87, 062310 (2013)N. Patra & A.V. Tkachenko, Programmable self-assembly of diamond polymorphs from chromatic patchy particles, Phys. Rev. E 98, 032611 (2018)
W. Liu, J. Halverson, Y. Tian, A.V. Tkachenko, O. Gang, Self-organized architectures from assorted DNA-framed nanoparticles, Nature chemistry 8 , 867 (2016)
W. Liu, M. Tagawa, H.L. Xin, T. Wang, H. Emamy, H. Li, K.G. Yager, F.W. Starr, A.V. Tkachenko & O.Gang, Diamond family of nanoparticle superlattices, Science 351, 582 (2016)
http://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=11540
S. Vial, D. Nykypanchuk, KG. Yager, A.V. Tkachenko, O. Gang, Linear mesostructures in DNA–nanorod self-assembly , ACS nano 7, 5437 (2013)
O. Gang & A.V. Tkachenko, DNA-programmable particle superlattices: Assembly, phases, and dynamic control, MRS Bulletin 41, 381 (2016)
(click pictures for details)

Epidemic modeling: Response to COVID-19

A.V. Tkachenko, S. Maslov, A Elbanna, G.N. Wong, Z.J. Weiner, N. Goldenfeld, Time-dependent heterogeneity leads to transient suppression of the COVID-19 epidemic, not herd immunity, PNAS 118, e2015972118 (2021)

G.N. Wong, Z.J. Weiner, A.V. Tkachenko, A Elbanna, S. Maslov, N. Goldenfeld, Modeling COVID-19 Dynamics in Illinois under Nonpharmaceutical Interventions, Phys. Rev. X 10, 041033 (2020)

ORDER & COMPLEXITY

D. Wendt, E. Bozin, J. Neuefeind, K. Page, W. Ku, L. Wang, B. Fultz, A. Tkachenko & I. Zaliznyak, Entropic elasticity and negative thermal expansion in a simple cubic crystal, Science Advances, 5, eaay2748 (2019)A.V. Tkachenko & I.A. Zalizniak, Empty perovskites as Coulomb floppy networks: entropic elasticity and negative thermal expansion, Phys. Rev. B 103, 134106 (2021)

A.V. Tkachenko, Generic phase diagram of binary superlattices, PNAS 113, 10269 (2016)

B.M. Ocko, H. Hlaing, P.N. Jepsen, S. Kewalramani, A. Tkachenko, D. Pontoni, H. Reichert & M. Deutsch, Unifying Interfacial Self-Assembly and Surface Freezing, Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 137801 (2011)

Onset OF natural Selection and origin of life

A.V. Tkachenko & S. Maslov, Spontaneous emergence of autocatalytic information-coding polymers, J. of Chem. Phys. 143, 07B612 (2015)
A.V. Tkachenko & S. Maslov, Onset of natural selection in populations of autocatalytic heteropolymers, J. of Chem. Phys. 149, 134901 (2018)
P. W. Kudella, A. V. Tkachenko, A. Salditt, S. Maslov & D. Braun, Structured sequences emerge from random pool when replicated by templated ligation, PNAS 118, e2018830118 (2021)