Formation of monodisperse, nonspherical emulsion droplets upon stabilization by solid particles and bilayer forming molecules

• Applicant: Dr. Martin Haase
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials ; Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2014 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 265203182

My research is focused on the physical chemistry of interfaces. Particularly, I focus on the oil/water-interface of emulsion droplets as a working platform to manipulate and shape materials. Emulsion droplets are naturally spherical because surface tension typically dominates over all other forces. However, bringing multiple phases in contact with each other creates wetting phenomena that allows us to use the strong forces arising from surface tension to self-assemble solid particles or to transform liquid droplets into unusual shapes. Our work also takes advantage of nonspecific weak molecular forces to link molecules or other materials to each other. Additionally, we employ reproducible hydrodynamic forces in droplet-based microfluidics to shape the materials manufactured in our laboratory.The interplay of these various forces leads to many surprising effects, such as the formation of uniform, nonspherical emulsion droplets. We try to understand the exact physical mechanisms that govern these formation processes by employing different experimental techniques to quantify the forces involved in our systems.Herein, we would like to introduce two novel, continuously-operating, emulsion-based fabrication technique for uniform nonspherical microparticles:The first part of this proposal makes use of the stabilization of emulsion droplets by solid particles. It is well known that such particle stabilized emulsion droplets can obtain nonspherical shapes. My work shows for the first time how uniform (monodisperse), particle-stabilized, nonspherical emulsion droplets can be produced continuously.The second part of the proposal utilizes the dewetting effect of oil droplets on lipid or blockcopolymer bilayers. This technique is well-established for the fabrication of vesicles and polymerosomes. However, my research shows for the first time how this approach can be used to obtain complex nonspherical microparticles.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Daeyeon Lee, Ph.D.