Particle Stabilized Emulsions and Foams

The work proposed in the PASTA project follows the line from characterizing the surface properties of particles via a complex analysis of the properties of layers at liquid/gas and liquid/liquid interfaces to studying the behaviour of liquid films and finally to model real foams and emulsions. The work comprises the application of available knowledge to the preparation and characterization of particle stabilized emulsions, produced by adapting to the Soft Matter Dynamics instrument.

The role of gravity on quiescent wet foams can be captured in 2 key questions:

Is the growth law for average bubble size R~√ time, such that R dR/dt is a constant? If so, what is the liquid-fraction dependence of this rate?
How do the rate and the nature of the bubble rearrangement dynamics change as the liquid fraction is increased to the point of un-jamming (transition solid-like to liquid-like)?
PASTA will address the SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

Evaluate the characteristic time for the droplet coalescence as a function of the formulation
Identify and investigate specific dynamic regimes for droplets dynamics (for example Brownian vs. Capillarydriven) during emulsion destabilization.
Test and develop models for emulsion stability/destabilization prognosis.