Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Real-Time Force Measurement Between Emulsion Droplets During Enzymatic Breakdown
Published on: June 27, 2025
Influence of dynamic interfacial tension on droplet formation during membrane emulsification
S van der Graaf1, C G P H Schroën, R G M van der Sman
1Food and Bioprocess Engineering Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands. sandra.vandergraaf@wur.nl
Abstract:
Membrane emulsification is a promising and relatively new technique for producing emulsions. The purpose of this study was to better understand the influence of interfacial tension on droplet formation during membrane emulsification. Droplet formation experiments were carried out with a microengineered membrane; the droplet diameter and droplet formation time were studied as a function of the surfactant concentration in the continuous phase. These experiments confirm that the interfacial tension influences the process of droplet formation; higher surfactant concentrations lead to smaller droplets and shorter droplet formation times (until 10 ms). From drop volume tensiometer experiments we can predict the interfacial tension during droplet formation. However, the strong influence of the rate of flow of the to-be-dispersed phase on the droplet size cannot be explained by the predicted values. This large influence of the oil rate of flow is clarified by the hypothesis that snap-off is rather slow in the studied regime of very fast droplet formation.
Related Concept Videos
Surface Tension
Micelles
Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
Theories of Dissolution: The Danckwerts' Model and Interfacial Barrier Model
Surface Tension of Fluid
Surface tension varies with...
Membrane Fluidity

