Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
11:08
Generation of Size-controlled Poly (ethylene Glycol) Diacrylate Droplets via Semi-3-Dimensional Flow Focusing Microfluidic Devices
Published on: July 3, 2018
Droplet formation and scaling in dense suspensions
Marc Z Miskin1, Heinrich M Jaeger
1James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Summary
Particle-laden suspensions exhibit unique droplet detachment dynamics, deviating from pure liquids. This study reveals a novel power-law scaling in suspension breakup, driven by particle-induced surface deformation and geometric constraints.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Colloid Science
- Rheology
Background:
- Droplet detachment in pure liquids is well-understood, characterized by self-similar profiles and scaling laws.
- The behavior of dense suspensions during droplet detachment differs significantly from that of pure liquids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize the novel droplet detachment mechanism in dense particle suspensions.
- To identify the scaling laws governing suspension breakup and the underlying physical principles.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-speed imaging to observe droplet detachment in dense suspensions.
- Analyzed the scaling of the neck minimum radius near breakup across various experimental conditions.
Main Results:
- Discovered that suspension droplet detachment follows a power-law, with the neck minimum radius scaling near breakup.
- Demonstrated data collapse across diverse particle/liquid combinations, packing fractions, viscosities, and initial conditions.
- Proposed that particle-induced surface deformation creates an inertial pressure, leading to the observed scaling.
Conclusions:
- Suspension droplet detachment is governed by a new type of scaling, influenced by particle geometry and topological constraints.
- This scaling is non-self-similar, exhibits memory of initial conditions, and has implications for suspension interface pressure.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Colloidal 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...
01:29The 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...
01:16Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
In precipitation gravimetry, the precipitating agent should react specifically or selectively with the analyte. While a specific reagent reacts with the analyte alone, a selective reagent can react with a limited number of chemical species.
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
01:17Colloids 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...
03:22Colloids
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...
01:15Theories of Dissolution: Diffusion Layer Model
Dissolution, the process by which drug particles dissolve in a solvent, is explained by the diffusion layer model, a theoretical framework that simulates the absorption of oral drugs and allows us to analyze experimental data.
This process starts with a thin layer, saturated with the drug, forming at the interface between the solid and liquid. The solute then diffuses from this layer into the main solution. The Noyes-Whitney equation suggests that the rate of dissolution relies on the diffusion...
This process starts with a thin layer, saturated with the drug, forming at the interface between the solid and liquid. The solute then diffuses from this layer into the main solution. The Noyes-Whitney equation suggests that the rate of dissolution relies on the diffusion...