Prior to poking the particles, the particles were conditioned to the RH within the flow cell. After conditioning, the particles were poked with an ultra-fine tungsten needle (Roboz Surgical Instruments Co., Fig. ). The needle was coated with an oleophobic solution (CYTONIX, OilSlip 110) and was mounted on a micromanipulator (Narishige; model MO-202), which enables highprecision three-dimensional movement of the needle. Upon poking the particle, a non-equilibrium geometry was generated (Fig. ). After retrieving the needle from the particle, the SOA material flowed (unless the viscosity was very high) and returned to initial equilibrium geometry, i.e.