ESPCI web site
Cari Dutcher (University of Minnesota)
Soft Interfaces with Microfluidics : Aerosols, Emulsions, and Foams
Soft interface-rich multiphase systems such as foams, emulsions, and aerosols are all around us. To characterize the multiphase system dynamics and stability, often information about the thermodynamic and material properties of the interfaces is needed. Microscale and microfluidic platforms can enable measurements of these soft interfaces at length and timescales of interest to the multiphase applications. These advanced micro platforms can generate, detect, manipulate, and sort microscale droplets and bubbles in an enclosed environment without large and expensive control systems. In this talk, I highlight our group's approach to measuring dynamic surface and interfacial tension, thin film stability during coalescence, and droplet phase using microfluidic contractions, traps, and wells. Experiments are performed across a range of droplet sizes, viscosity ratios, and surfactant concentrations.