Evaporative Drying of Droplets and the Formation of Micro-structured and Functional Particles

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The drying of liquid droplets is a complex process with a wealth of dynamics occurring inside the liquid phase. The effect of these internal processes is to change the distribution of materials in the particle that is formed after drying. These processes are important in a wide range of applications from spray drying processes that form functionalised and micro-structured particles, crop spraying and to the dynamics of particles during inhalation therapies. In this project we will explore the drying kinetics of isolated droplets in air using a range of unique single particle experimental tools. In particular, measurements will use an electrodynamic balance to directly probe the time-evolving size and morphology of droplets during drying with time-resolution as high as 10 ms. The steady equilibrium viscosity and surface tensions of droplets will be interrogated with varying droplet composition using aerosol optical tweezers. We will seek to understand how droplets dry and provide a quantitative approach to measure, predict and interpret the dynamics of droplet evaporation. For example, we will address questions such as when do you get a solid particle or a hollow particle, a uniform particle or one with shells? When formed, are the particles crystalline or amorphous, are different components mixed or separated?