Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Combining Microfluidics and Microrheology to Determine Rheological Properties of Soft Matter during Repeated Phase Transitions
Published on: April 19, 2018
Evolutionary pattern of liquid-liquid phase separation in amphiphilic molecular self-assembly during the natural
Xinyue Jiang1, Yating Shang2, Rahimi Hajar2
1School of Civil Engineering Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China.
Abstract:
This study reveals liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) as the evolutionary driver in amphiphilic self-assembly during strong-aroma Baijiu aging. Fresh Baijiu is a heterogeneous colloidal system dominated by supersaturated ethyl hexanoate/hexanoic acid, forming ∼38 μm LLPS droplets. Over 10 years, droplet size decreases by 73.68 %, evolving into hydrophobic-core/hydrophilic-shell structures. Raman mapping shows ethanol densification within droplets via hydrophobic interactions and H-bond reorganization, correlating with a 13.3 % free ethanol reduction and sensory mellowing. Crucially, electric field-assisted aging achieves structural/flavor equivalence to 5-6 years of natural aging in 40 days. This establishes LLPS as fundamental to Baijiu maturation, providing a physicochemical framework to optimize colloidal stability, sensory quality, and sustainable production in distilled spirits.
More Related Videos
10:08Phase Behavior of Charged Vesicles Under Symmetric and Asymmetric Solution Conditions Monitored with Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: October 24, 2017
11:27A Package of Established Analytical Tools to Investigate the Solid-State Alteration of Lipid-Based Excipients
Published on: August 9, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Distillation: Vapor–Liquid Equilibria
Membrane Fluidity
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...