Mixtures of Particles with Complex Architecture in Shear Flow (A01)

• Subject Area: Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2002 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5485412

We want to study the response to shear flow of colloids with a more complex architecture as compared to the stiff colloidal rods studied so far, including their mixtures. In particular we wish to first further develop the synthesis of colloids consisting of relatively small cores with a thick brush of DNA or fd-virus particles, as well as colloidal-sized wormlike, semi-flexible ”polymers”. We intend to study the behaviour of single colloids under flow, where particle deformation will be of interest, as well as the behaviour at high concentration, where in addition entanglements play a role. The resulting non-equilibrium phase behaviour and shear-induced pattern formation will be investigated.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 6: Physics of Colloidal Dispersions in External Fields
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Co-Applicant Institution: Forschungszentrum Jülich
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Jan Karel George Dhont; Professor Dr. Minne Paul Lettinga