Projects
Structure modification
Using magnetic fields, we drive a magnetic particle in a passive colloidal suspension. The magnetic particle propels and redistributes passive particles to form a new structure. Thus, we can manipulate the microstructure in situ, and study how the material properties are altered. For example:
Effective viscosity of colloidal suspension
Colloidal gel stiffness and yield stress
Drop mtion by magnetic magnetic fields
By adding ferromagnetic particles in a water-based solution, known as ferrofluid, we can deform and even drive the drop to desired location using magnetic fields. We are aiming to answer these questions in this system:
What is the mechanism of drop deformation and drop motion?
What is the difference between drop motion driven by particles in it
and by external force like gravity?
Liquid marble interaction
We create a ferrofluid marble by wrapping a ferrofluid drop with hydrophobic powder. The shell allows a ferrofluid drop to deform, jump, and collide with other ferrofluid drops while mentaining its integrity. Using this technique, we will investigate:
The collision between water liquid marbles and ferrofluid marbles.
Collective behavior of ferrofluid marbles interacting with surroundings.
Fun videos!
Magentic particles pass through a colloidal suspension and create a vacant space behind them.
A ferrofluid drop moves uphill and takes an inpurity away with it.
A ferrofluid marble collides a resting liquid marble. A second ferrofluid marble catches on and uses the first ferrofluid marble as a stool to jump over the resting liquid marble.