Mechanical, Rheological, and Adhesive Properties of Liquid Foams
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
OVERVIEW
Study of the mechanical, rheological, and adhesive properties of liquid foams: A combination of experimental and computational tools will be used to explore the properties of liquid foams with a multiscale perspective- from bulk behavior to bubble-scale dynamics.
SUMMARY AND AIMS
There has been an active interest in the study of liquid foams recently due to their significance in a range of fields from industries and metamaterials to biological soft matter systems. Liquid foam is a dispersion of a gas into a liquid, stabilized by the presence of surfactant molecules adsorbed on the gas-liquid interfaces. There is need for a multiscale study of the foam dynamics which can connect the bulk properties to their interfacial dynamics. This is motivated by industrial applications, e.g., the initial spreading of shaving foam will reflect bulk properties while local, bubble-scale dynamics will determine its ultimate performance as a lubricant. Towards this end, we plan to use the adhesion tensiometer (which has not been used much in previous literature) that can help us explore the interfacial properties, and the adhesion between foam bubbles.
The main objectives of this research are to produce surfactant-based stable liquid foams using custom surfactant mixtures in a sparger column. Further, to understand the multiscale dynamics of such foams and the single events in foam evolution like rupture of bubbles, coarsening and other topological rearrangements, using the methods of rheology, computational modelling using vertex-based models, and adhesion tensiometry. This research can help us explore origins and mechanisms of foam stability, especially with respect to biosurfactants that can have a huge impact on future industrial applications.
Study of the mechanical, rheological, and adhesive properties of liquid foams: A combination of experimental and computational tools will be used to explore the properties of liquid foams with a multiscale perspective- from bulk behavior to bubble-scale dynamics.
SUMMARY AND AIMS
There has been an active interest in the study of liquid foams recently due to their significance in a range of fields from industries and metamaterials to biological soft matter systems. Liquid foam is a dispersion of a gas into a liquid, stabilized by the presence of surfactant molecules adsorbed on the gas-liquid interfaces. There is need for a multiscale study of the foam dynamics which can connect the bulk properties to their interfacial dynamics. This is motivated by industrial applications, e.g., the initial spreading of shaving foam will reflect bulk properties while local, bubble-scale dynamics will determine its ultimate performance as a lubricant. Towards this end, we plan to use the adhesion tensiometer (which has not been used much in previous literature) that can help us explore the interfacial properties, and the adhesion between foam bubbles.
The main objectives of this research are to produce surfactant-based stable liquid foams using custom surfactant mixtures in a sparger column. Further, to understand the multiscale dynamics of such foams and the single events in foam evolution like rupture of bubbles, coarsening and other topological rearrangements, using the methods of rheology, computational modelling using vertex-based models, and adhesion tensiometry. This research can help us explore origins and mechanisms of foam stability, especially with respect to biosurfactants that can have a huge impact on future industrial applications.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Supreeth Sundar (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/S023631/1 | 30/09/2019 | 30/03/2028 | |||
| 2908437 | Studentship | EP/S023631/1 | 30/09/2023 | 29/09/2027 | Supreeth Sundar |