Multiphysics Simulations of Colloidal Phase Separation

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Understanding the kinetics of colloidal phase transitions is a century old problem still investigated to date. Colloidal systems provide a great model system at a microscale level for studying the molecular or atomic interactions of matter during the phase transitions by using light microscopy. Phase transition kinetics have been extensively studied using a colloid-polymer (CP) system for almost half a century. However, important question in confining geometries and additional external fields are still open. Various simulation techniques and approaches have been developed to gain insights into phase separation of colloidal systems. While these simulation methods have contributed to our understanding of the colloidal phase separation phenomenon, limitations arise due to an oversimplified representation of system dynamics, overlooking factors like hydrodynamic interactions, gravitational sedimentation, thermal fluctuation, complex geometries, diverse particle properties, and challenges in incorporating external force fields. To address these limitations, we propose a numerical model based on the finite element method by combining multiple physics in a single model to comprehensively study colloidal phase transitions. Our proposed numerical model combines the hydrodynamic interactions of colloidal particles with multiple forces effecting the particle motion. The numerical model, validated by the experimental demonstrations, will provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex gelation process in a colloid polymer mixture.