Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kai Feng, Ning Gao, Wenyun Li, Hao Dong, Fuwei Sun, Guokang He, Kang Zhou, Hongwei Zhao, Guangtao Li
Summary: This study presents a simple method to construct multicompartment assemblies by first forming IL droplet networks and then polymerizing to generate the multicompartment assemblies. The approach avoids tedious surface modification and assembly processes, allowing for efficient preparation of various structured multicompartment assemblies.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yage Zhang, Chentianyi Yang, Shuai Yuan, Xiaoxue Yao, Youchuang Chao, Yang Cao, Qingchun Song, Alban Sauret, Bernard P. Binks, Ho Cheung Shum
Summary: The experiment demonstrated the influence of different particle coverings on liquid marbles in the electrocoalescence process, resulting in four different morphologies. Small particles showed little resistance to coalescence, while marbles coated by large particles demonstrated a viscous-like behavior.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Zhikun Xu, Tianyou Wang, Zhizhao Che
Summary: This study experimentally investigated the breakup process of particle-laden droplets in airflow. The results showed that particles have a heterogeneous effect on the breakup process, accelerating the fragmentation of the liquid film and promoting localized rapid piercing. A correlation length was proposed to characterize the concentration fluctuation scale during the breakup process, and the scaling results agreed well with experimental data.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dhrijit Kumar Deka, Sukumar Pati
Summary: The present study investigates the electrocoalescence dynamics of two unequal-sized water droplets surrounded by oil. The study uses the finite element method-based level-set formalism to solve the governing transport equations and validates the solver accuracy with experimental results. The key determinants of droplet-to-droplet coalescence phenomenon are electric field strength, diameter ratio of the droplets, and viscosity of the fluids. The study reveals that higher electric field strength leads to partial coalescence and the required field strength is smaller for larger diameter ratios. Higher viscosity suppresses partial coalescence, but with larger voltage, partial coalescence can be achieved even for higher viscous fluid.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Haozhe Yi, Taotao Fu, Chunying Zhu, Youguang Ma
Summary: This paper experimentally studies the dynamics of cascade coalescence in a sudden expansion microchannel. The evolutions of dimensionless widths of the first neck and the second neck follow the same power law relationship as in double coalescence, and the exponent remains constant with changes in the viscosity of the dispersed phase. However, the viscosity of the dispersed phase can affect the appearance time of the second neck and the deformation of droplets. The formation of the first neck is caused by capillary waves on the interface, and the growth of the first neck can aggravate the instability of the flow field inside the droplet, leading to the formation of the second neck. Increasing the viscosity of the dispersed phase can inhibit the instability of the flow field and consequently inhibit cascade coalescence.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Desheng Chen, Tingting Wang, Lining Ming, Man Qiu, Zhe Lin
Summary: This paper investigates the collision of moving droplets with sessile droplets using high-speed photography. The main characteristics of the collision phenomena under different collision speeds and volume ratios are quantified, and the phenomena are explained from an energy analysis perspective. The findings are significant for solving practical engineering problems and improving equipment operation stability.
Article
Physics, Applied
Huimin Hou, Xiaomin Wu, Zhifeng Hu, Sihang Gao, Zhiping Yuan
Summary: This study investigates the impact of the surface inclination angle on the dynamic behavior of condensate droplets and establishes a relationship between the transport distance, transport height, jumping direction of droplets, and the surface inclination angle. Additionally, a droplet motion equation is developed to describe the trajectory of droplets after they jump off the surface. The study also demonstrates the phenomenon of multi-hop jumping on the inclined superhydrophobic surface and provides a mathematical model to predict the multi-hop jumping transport distance, which has significant implications for the application of droplet jumping.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Huadan Xu, Xinjin Ge, Tianyou Wang, Zhizhao Che
Summary: In this study, the coalescence of two immiscible droplets on a partial wetting surface is explored experimentally and theoretically. The coalescence process is divided into three stages and the impact of immiscible interface on the process is investigated. The study provides insights into the time scales and force interactions involved in the coalescence of immiscible droplets.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Paolo Guida, Alberto Ceschin, Saumitra Saxena, Hong G. Im, William L. Roberts
Summary: This study presents computational simulations of complex multiphase flows to study the physical phenomena in the secondary atomization of a droplet induced by a hot environment. The model was validated against analytical solutions and experimental data, and different atomization regimes were identified based on the initial size of internal bubbles.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qing Guo, Jialu Zhang, Dachao Li, Haixia Yu
Summary: Acoustic droplet ejection (ADE) is a noncontact technique for high-throughput liquid dispensing. This paper investigates the collision behavior of nanoliter droplets on different wettability substrates and finds that hydrophilic substrates tend to cause droplet rebound.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Debarshi Debnath, Parmod Kumar, Sushanta K. Mitra
Summary: Drop spreading process is dominated by viscosity in the early stages, while wetting condition does not affect the power-law scaling for the contact radius. Low-viscosity liquids may cause necking and ejection of satellite drops during spreading, while very high-viscosity drops are completely dominated by the viscous regime.
Article
Mechanics
Ryan McGuan, R. Candler, H. P. Kavehpour
Summary: This paper investigates the phenomenon of partial coalescence in a viscous quiescent medium using a liquid metal alloy. The study observes the bouncing of coalescing droplets on the interface and develops models to predict droplet velocity, position, and maximum bounce height.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Jin-yuan Qian, Wen-qing Li, Xiao-juan Li, Qian Chen, An-qi Guan, Kan Sheng, Zhi-jiang Jin
Summary: This paper analyzes the evolution process of droplet coalescence through microchannel experiments and the volume of fluid method, and studies the internal circulation characteristics of droplets under different surface velocities conditions. The results show that with the decrease of droplet length, the velocity distribution inside the droplet changes from being dominated by the shearing action of the microchannel wall to the shearing action of the continuous phase. During the droplet coalescence, there is a convective trend in the contact area between two droplets, with the maximum radial and axial velocities reaching 3.5 times and 7.5 times of the droplet surface velocity, respectively. This work can provide a reference for improving droplet control accuracy and mixing efficiency.
CASE STUDIES IN THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huadan Xu, Tianyou Wang, Zhizhao Che
Summary: This study experimentally investigates the coalescence dynamics of immiscible droplets and finds that immiscibility plays different roles in different stages. A theoretical model and a modified Ohnesorge number are proposed to analyze and characterize the effects of immiscibility in the coalescence process.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yanpeng Dong, Hongwei Zhu, Xingyu Xiang, Zhongdong Wang, Asad Ullah, Sajawal Raza, Chunying Zhu, Wenyuan Fan, Bing Sun, Youguang Ma, Taotao Fu
Summary: The dynamics of viscoelastic droplet formation in T-shaped asymmetric parallel microchannels were investigated using a high-speed camera. The effects of fluid viscoelasticity and flow rates on droplet stability, uniformity, and flow distribution were explored. The results showed that the viscoelasticity influenced the different stages of droplet formation, and increasing the continuous phase flow rate improved stability and affected droplet uniformity. Prediction models for fluid flow distribution, droplet size, and formation period were established, and the breakup mode and satellite droplet size were also studied. The findings demonstrated the importance of fluid viscoelasticity and flow rates in droplet formation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Isaac J. Gresham, Joshua D. Willott, Edwin C. Johnson, Peixun Li, Grant B. Webber, Erica J. Wanless, Andrew R. J. Nelson, Stuart W. Prescott
Summary: The interaction between anionic surfactants and PNIPAM is primarily hydrophobic, but only anionic surfactants affect the thermoresponse and conformation of PNIPAM, suggesting that the hydrophilic head-group also plays a role. The greater affinity of anionic surfactants for PNIPAM compared to cationic and nonionic surfactants is the main reason for this behavior. These findings highlight the critical role of the surfactant head-group in mediating PNIPAM-surfactant interaction.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
N. R. H. Rao, X. Chu, K. Hadinoto, Angelina Angelina, R. Zhou, T. Zhang, B. Soltani, C. G. Bailey, F. J. Trujillo, G. L. Leslie, S. W. Prescott, P. J. Cullen, R. K. Henderson
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of cold plasma-activated bubbles in treating algal-impacted waters. The results showed that both air and oxygen-activated bubbles were effective in reducing cell numbers and increasing cell damage and inactivation. However, oxygen-activated bubbles were preferred due to lower nitrite and nitrate concentrations in the treated water. The study also found that different reactive species had varying impacts on algal cell removal and damage.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Koentadi Hadinoto, N. R. H. Rao, Javiera Barrales Astorga, Renwu Zhou, Joanna Biazik, Tianqi Zhang, Hassan Masood, Patrick J. Cullen, Stuart Prescott, Rita K. Henderson, Francisco J. Trujillo
Summary: This article introduces a newly designed hybrid plasma discharge reactor that produces plasma-activated water (PAW), an effective and energy-efficient disinfectant. By adjusting parameters such as the number and size of orifices in the bubble column, liquid volume, and salinity, the inactivation of Escherichia coli can be further improved.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Terence Cosgrove, Simon Stebbing, Matthew Ackroyd, David Fairhurst, Keith Sanderson, Stuart W. Prescott
Summary: Formulation of particulate dispersions is a complex industrial problem, and solvent relaxation NMR can be used to optimize the formulation process, especially for commonly used commercial silica particles. The experiments, which can be conducted on bench-top or on-line spectrometers, are not limited to silica particles and can be applied to a range of aqueous and non-aqueous dispersions, providing valuable feedback for formulators.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Daniel C. Morris, Adrian R. Morris, William S. Price, Stuart W. Prescott, Jason B. Harper
Summary: NMR diffusometry was used to determine the self-diffusion coefficients of pyridine and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imides mixtures in acetonitrile. The nature of solvation changed significantly with the proportion of salt in the mixtures. Increased diffusion coefficients for the molecular components were observed with higher proportion of ionic liquid and longer alkyl chain length on the cation. Discontinuities in diffusion data were observed between hexyl and octyl derivatives, indicating changes in solution structuring.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hayden Robertson, Joshua D. Willott, Kasimir P. Gregory, Edwin C. Johnson, Isaac J. Gresham, Andrew R. J. Nelson, Vincent S. J. Craig, Stuart W. Prescott, Robert Chapman, Grant B. Webber, Erica J. Wanless
Summary: This study provides experimental evidence for the impact of ion hydrophobicity on specific ion effects and reveals the interaction between ion-specific and hydrotropic effects. It is found that changing the hydrophobicity of the ions results in the formation of bundle-like structures in the polymer system, and the ion hydrophobicity is related to its hydration ability.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jordan Thomas Lovegrove, Radhika Raveendran, Patrick Spicer, Stephan Foerster, Christopher J. Garvey, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: Margination refers to the movement of particles towards the endothelial wall within blood vessels. This study focused on 2D platelet particles as a potential drug delivery system and quantified their margination propensity. The results showed that 2D platelet particles exhibited increased margination compared to spherical particles, with higher margination observed at higher shear rates.
Article
Education & Educational Research
A. M. Phillips, E. J. Gouvea, B. E. Gravel, P. -H. Beachemin, T. J. Atherton
Summary: Computation is integral to physics research, but its integration into physics education remains challenging. In this study, we propose a metamodel of computational modeling, informed by the philosophy of science, to broaden the understanding of computation in physics education. We incorporate this metamodel into an educational environment that promotes students' agency, creativity, and self-expression through making and analyze student work to illustrate their complex epistemic maneuvers in computational modeling.
PHYSICAL REVIEW PHYSICS EDUCATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yong Wang, Woojoeng Kim, Rishi Ravindra Naik, Patrick T. Spicer, Cordelia Selomulya
Summary: Non-extrusion texturization technology using gelation technique with curdlan gum can manipulate the texture of non/low-gelling plant protein and achieve heterogenous structures. The gel network formed at higher temperature (80℃) embeds protein particles fully, while at lower temperature (60℃) the protein particles are only partially embedded. Increasing protein concentration leads to a less organized gel network. This gelation technique has the potential to be applied to alternative proteins without the need for an extruder.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Isaac J. Gresham, Edwin C. Johnson, Hayden Robertson, Joshua D. Willott, Grant B. Webber, Erica J. Wanless, Andrew R. J. Nelson, Stuart W. Prescott
Summary: Understanding the interactions between polymers and surfactants is crucial for optimizing commercial systems. This study tested the behavior of polymer-surfactant systems, revealing that they do not behave like polyelectrolytes in the presence of salt. Additionally, the structure of polymer-surfactant complexes under confinement differs from that of polyelectrolytes.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Gervase Ng, Zilong Wu, Tong Zhang, Anh Phong Dang, Yin Yao, Andrew R. J. Nelson, Stuart W. Prescott, Almar Postma, Graeme Moad, Craig J. Hawker, Cyrille Boyer
Summary: An oxygen-tolerant SI-PhotoRAFT technique has been developed for efficient synthesis of surface-tethered polymer brushes under low-energy near-infrared light. The technique takes advantage of the unique properties of NIR light to prepare polymeric coatings, even through barriers that are opaque to visible light. It enables precise modulation of brush height and sequential chain extension, as well as orthogonal control over polymerization and cross-linking processes using two different wavelengths.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chaitanya Joshi, Mathew Q. Giso, Jean-Francois Louf, Sujit S. Datta, Timothy J. Atherton
Summary: In this study, we approach the problem of hydrogel swelling under physical constraints as an energy optimization problem. By applying our method, we were able to compute the equilibrium shapes of hydrogel spheres confined within a jammed matrix of rigid beads, and interpret the results to understand how confinement affects the mechanics of swollen hydrogels. We found that confinement leads to spatial separation of strains within the bulk of the hydrogel and a transition from Hertzian to non-Hertzian behavior in contact mechanics as swelling occurs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chaitanya Joshi, Mathew Q. Giso, Jean-Francois Louf, Sujit S. Datta, Timothy J. Atherton
Summary: This study presents an energy optimization approach to solve the problem of hydrogel swelling under physical constraints. The equilibrium shapes of hydrogel spheres confined within a jammed matrix of rigid beads are computed using this method, and the results provide insights into how confinement modifies the mechanics of swollen hydrogels.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Connie Darmanin, Firoozeh Babayekhorasani, Andrew Formosa, Patrick Spicer, Brian Abbey
Summary: The use of monoolein/water mixtures in serial crystallography experiments using high-viscosity injectors results in significant departures from equilibrium behavior. This study successfully detected the changes in phase, viscosity, and flow behavior through a combination of polarization and rheology characterization techniques. The findings showed that HVI injection induced deformation and phase changes within the mixtures, which depended on sample composition and injection conditions. Additionally, shear-thinning behavior and increased heterogeneity near the capillary walls were observed under dynamic flow conditions. This is the first report to observe injection-induced dynamical behavior in MO/water mixtures under realistic flow conditions.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hayden Robertson, Gareth R. Elliott, Andrew R. J. Nelson, Anton P. Le Brun, Grant B. Webber, Stuart W. Prescott, Vincent S. J. Craig, Erica J. Wanless, Joshua D. Willott
Summary: Hypersaline environments are common in nature and various technological processes. The phenomenon of underscreening, which refers to a significant discrepancy between predicted and observed screening lengths at high salt concentrations, has been investigated using a cationic polyelectrolyte brush as an example. Experimental results and theoretical analysis show that the classical theory of electrolytes is insufficient to explain the observed screening lengths at high salt concentrations. Additionally, the re-entrant swelling behavior of the brush is consistent with the regular underscreening phenomenon.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiping Yin, Zhe Wang, Hua Zou
Summary: This study presents a novel method for preparing dimpled polymer-silica nanocomposite particles using interfacial swelling-based seeded polymerization. The optimized conditions allow for a relatively high percentage of dimpled particles to be achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Brenden D. Hoehn, Elizabeth A. Kellstedt, Marc A. Hillmyer
Summary: Porous materials with nanometer-scale pores have important applications as nanoporous membranes. In this study, ABA triblock copolymers were used as precursors to produce nanoporous polymeric membranes (NPMs) in thin film form by degrading the end blocks. Polycyclooctene (PCOE) NPMs with tunable pore sizes were successfully prepared using solvent casting technique. Oxygen plasma etching was employed to improve the surface porosity and hydrophilicity of the membranes. This study provides a straightforward method to produce tough NPMs with high porosity and hydrophilic surface properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vladislav S. Petrovskii, Stepan I. Zholudev, Igor I. Potemkin
Summary: This article investigates the behavior of linear and ring polypeptide chains in aqueous solution and explores the properties of the complexes formed by these chains with oppositely charged surfactants. The results demonstrate that the complexes of linear supercharged unfolded polypeptides and the corresponding surfactants exhibit impressive adhesive properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Merve Cevik, Serkan Dikici
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally, and vascular grafts are a promising treatment option. This study focuses on tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) using decellularized parsley stems as a potential biomaterial. The decellularized parsley stems showed suitable properties for TEVGs, providing a suitable environment for human endothelial cells to form a pseudo endothelium. This study showcases the potential of using parsley stems for TEVGs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gustavo A. Vasquez-Montoya, Tadej Emersic, Noe Atzin, Antonio Tavera-Vazquez, Ali Mozaffari, Rui Zhang, Orlando Guzman, Alexey Snezhko, Paul F. Nealey, Juan J. de Pablo
Summary: The optical properties of liquid crystals are typically controlled by electric fields. In this study, we investigate the effects of microfluidic flows and acoustic fields on the molecular orientation and optical response of nematic liquid crystals. We identify several previously unknown structures and explain them through calculations and simulations. These findings hold promise for the development of new systems combining sound, flow, and confinement.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinjun Wu, Xin Guan, Shushu Chen, Jiangpeng Jia, Chongyi Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Chuanzhuang Zhao
Summary: This research presents a novel shape memory hydrogel with a remodelable permanent shape and programmable cold-induced shape recovery behavior. The hydrogel is prepared using specific treatment methods to achieve shape fixation by heating and shape recovery by cooling. Additionally, deformable devices can be obtained by assembling hydrogel blocks with different concentrations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca Hengsbach, Gerhard Fink, Ulrich Simon
Summary: This study examines the properties of DNA functionalized pNipmam microgels and pure pNipmam microgels at different concentrations of sodium chloride and in PBS solutions using temperature dependent H-1-NMR measurements. The results show that DNA modification affects the volume phase transition temperature and the addition of salt and PBS further enhances this effect.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ningyi Li, Junhong Li, Lijingting Qing, Shicheng Ma, Yao Li, Baohui Li
Summary: This paper investigates the self-assembly behavior of colloids with competing interactions under spherical confinement and finds that different ordered structures can be formed under different sized spherical confinements. Moreover, more perforated structures are formed in smaller spheres.
