Charges in confined binary fluids : from electroosmosis to emulsion stabilization

Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar

Charges in confined binary fluids : from electroosmosis to emulsion stabilization

  • Event time: 1:00pm
  • Event date: 12th December 2016
  • Speaker: Julien Lombard (University of Barcelona)
  • Location: Room 2511,

Event details

Binary fluids such as oil water mixtures are ubiquitous in nature and are especially important in biology and industry. In particular nano-emulsions, where nanometer size drops of one component are dispersed in the other, have raised interest recently due to their very specific properties. Those emulsions are not thermodynamically stable, there is therefore a necessity to prevent the merging of the droplets.

Our aim is to study the possible stabilisation of nano-emulsions using charges. Beyond this practical application, we want to address a larger issue : how does a binary liquid behave when the characteristic length scales related to liquid-liquid, solid-liquid and electrokinetic interactions overlap?

We will first present some results regarding a simple 1D interface between two fluids and show how a simple analysis can unveil peculiar behaviors when the Debye layers in the fluid overlap with the size of the system. As an example we will consider the case of electroosmosis and pressure-driven flows in a planar microchannel.

About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars

This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..

Find out more about Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars.