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Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Microfluidic Devices for Characterizing Pore-scale Event Processes in Porous Media for Oil Recovery Applications
Published on: January 16, 2018
Mechanical properties of 2D aggregates of oil droplets as model mono-crystals
Jean-Christophe Ono-Dit-Biot1, Pierre Soulard2, Solomon Barkley1
1Department of Physics & Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada. dalnoki@mcmaster.ca.
Abstract:
We investigate the elastic and yielding properties of two dimensional defect-free mono-crystals made of highly monodisperse droplets. Crystals are compressed between two parallel boundaries of which one acts as a force sensor. As the available space between boundaries is reduced, the crystal goes through successive row-reduction transitions. For small compression forces, the crystal responds elastically until a critical force is reached and the assembly fractures in a single catastrophic global event. Correspondingly there is a peak in the force measurement associated with each row-reduction. The elastic properties of ideal mono-crystal samples are fully captured by a simple analytical model consisting of an assembly of individual capillary springs. The yielding properties of the crystal are captured with a minimal bond breaking model.
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