Flow and clogging of colloids in microfluidic devices

ORAL

Abstract

We study the flow and clogging of colloidal particles in porous materials by using microfluidid devices. Our experiments aim at getting a better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to flow-driven jamming of colloids in porous materials. The dynamics of the clogging process is investigated in terms of the dependence on particle size, colloid volume fraction, pressure gradient, as well as particle-particle interactions. We present results that show the influence of these parameters on the dynamics and nature of the clogging process.

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Authors

  • Hans Wyss

    Harvard University

  • Daniel L. Blair

    Harvard University

  • David Weitz

    Harvard University, Physics Department and Division of Engineering and Applied Scicence, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, DEAS Harvard University, DEAS and Department of Physics, Harvard University, DEAS/Dept of Physics, Harvard University, Harvard