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Molecular Foundry

HIGHLIGHTSBallistic Ejection of Microdroplets from Overpacked Interfacial Assemblies 
October 21, 2023

Scientific Achievement

Surfactant concentration (CPS-triNH2) and pH dependencies of spontaneous and explosive emulsification in strong magnetic field limit. Spontaneous emulsification (gold and dark blue): continuous ejection of microdroplets at lower pH and high surfactant concentration. Explosive emulsification (red) occurs only upon rapid removal of the field
Scale bar: 500 μm.

Uncovered a way to oversaturate an interface with nanoparticles, storing potential energy that can be released on demand.

Significance and Impact

Release of stored potential energy translates into a kinetic energy of ballistically ejected plume of ferromagnetic liquid droplets

Research Details

  • Permanent magnet used to overpack the interface of liquid droplet with ferromagnetic nanoparticles
  • Suppression of spontaneous emulsification with magnetic field
  • Energy storage and release are fully repeatable
Wu, X.; Bordia, G.; Streubel, R.; Hasnain, J.; Pedroso, C. C. S.; Cohen, B. E.; Rad, B.; Ashby, P.; Omar, A. K.; Geissler, P. L.; Wang, D.; Xue, H.; Wang, J.; Russell, T. P.  Adv. Funct. Mater. 2023, 33 (20), 2213844. DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202213844.

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