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Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures
Published on: May 20, 2014
Fractal-like structures in colloid science
S Lazzari1, L Nicoud2, B Jaquet2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77, Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Abstract:
The present work aims at reviewing our current understanding of fractal structures in the frame of colloid aggregation as well as the possibility they offer to produce novel structured materials. In particular, the existing techniques to measure and compute the fractal dimension df are critically discussed based on the cases of organic/inorganic particles and proteins. Then the aggregation conditions affecting df are thoroughly analyzed, pointing out the most recent literature findings and the limitations of our current understanding. Finally, the importance of the fractal dimension in applications is discussed along with possible directions for the production of new structured materials.
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