Binary Colloidal Alloy Test - 6

The goal of the BCAT investigations is to further investigate critical, fundamental problems in colloid science and evolve the field of colloid engineering, which creates materials with novel properties using colloidal particles as precursors. The BCAT-6 investigation had four primary objectives corresponding to specific samples: Phase Separation (BCAT-6-Phase Seperation): to study how gas and liquid separate and join together in space. Colloidal liquids, which have tiny particles suspended throughout, are used to study how the two different phases interact. This research gives fundamental insight into the nature of supercritical fluids--fluids having both liquid and gas properties. This information could be used to develop colloidal materials that last longer. Colloidal Disks (BCAT-6-Colloidal Disks): to improve understanding of properties of liquid crystals. Polystyrene - Deoxyribonucleic Acid (BCAT-6-PS-DNA): to use DNA as a type of molecular glue to specifically stick small particles together. The experiment uses microscopic polymer beads in solution (colloids) that have been coated with DNA. The DNA only binds to its complement and hence keeps specific particles together to form designer crystals. Seeded Growth (BCAT-6-Seeded Growth): to build on previous research looking at how dense groups of particles may be coaxed to form crystal structures when much larger “seed” particles are added. Some materials may consist of large individual crystals, or groups of many smaller crystals organized in a larger structure. Knowing when and how either type of crystal will form gives insight into how to control crystal growth which is important in many industrial processes.