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Related Concept Videos

The Colloidal State01:29

The Colloidal State

The formation of a colloidal system is exemplified by an aqueous solution containing Cl− ions is introduced to another containing Ag+ ions, resulting in the precipitation of solid AgCl as extremely tiny crystals. Instead of settling out as a filterable precipitate, these crystals remain suspended in the liquid, showcasing a colloidal system.A colloidal system involves colloidal particles within the approximate range of 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, dispersed in a medium called the...
Colloids03:22

Colloids

Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...
Colloidal precipitates01:09

Colloidal precipitates

The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
Colloids and Suspensions01:17

Colloids and Suspensions

Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles visible to the naked eye or seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. The suspended particles in a suspension settle out after some time of mixing. The separation of particles from a suspension is...
Centrifugation01:05

Centrifugation

Centrifugation is a separation technique based on differences in density or size. It is commonly used to separate solids from aqueous interferents. During centrifugation, the sample is placed in centrifugation tubes and spun at high angular velocity, which allows centrifugal force to act differentially on the different densities or masses of the components. After spinning, the supernatant liquid is decanted. Depending on the specific application, either the pellet or the supernatant is retained...
The Phase Rule01:20

The Phase Rule

The phase rule describes the relationship between the variance (degrees of freedom), the number of components, and the number of phases in a system at equilibrium.Variance is a concept that denotes the number of independent intensive properties (properties are those that do not depend on the amount of material in the system), such as temperature, pressure, and composition, that can be altered without impacting the number of phases in equilibrium.In a single-component system, such as pure water,...

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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures
10:56

Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures

Published on: May 20, 2014

Cylindrical phase separation in colloidal suspensions.

Kate Ovchinnikova1, Gerald H Pollack

  • 1Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Box 355061, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|April 28, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Polystyrene microsphere suspensions spontaneously form a central, hollow cylinder. This pattern formation is driven by ambient light energy, revealing a novel light-induced phase separation.

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Phase Behavior of Charged Vesicles Under Symmetric and Asymmetric Solution Conditions Monitored with Fluorescence Microscopy

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Area of Science:

  • Colloid science
  • Soft matter physics
  • Photochemistry

Background:

  • Microsphere suspensions are widely used in scientific research and industrial applications.
  • Understanding self-assembly and pattern formation in colloidal systems is crucial for materials science.
  • Previous studies have not reported light-induced macroscopic phase separation in microsphere suspensions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the spontaneous macroscopic phase separation observed in polystyrene microsphere suspensions.
  • To identify the key factors influencing the observed cylindrical pattern formation.
  • To explore the role of environmental factors, specifically illumination, in driving this phenomenon.

Main Methods:

  • Preparation of polystyrene microsphere suspensions with controlled parameters.
  • Observation of phase separation in undisturbed, covered beakers over extended periods (overnight).
  • Systematic variation of experimental conditions, including illumination levels, to assess their impact on pattern formation.

Main Results:

  • Macroscopically visible phase separation occurred, characterized by radial microsphere migration.
  • A vertically oriented, microsphere-devoid cylinder formed at the beaker's center.
  • A microsphere-free plate at the surface preceded cylinder formation, suggesting a precursor mechanism.
  • Cylinder formation was dependent on illumination, indicating light energy drives the process.
  • The pattern formation was reproducible within specific suspension parameter ranges.

Conclusions:

  • Ambient light energy is sufficient to induce macroscopic phase separation and pattern formation in polystyrene microsphere suspensions.
  • The observed cylindrical phase separation represents a novel light-driven self-assembly phenomenon in colloidal systems.
  • This finding opens new avenues for controlling and utilizing light-induced self-organization in soft matter.