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Highly Nonlinear Dynamics in a Slowly Sedimenting Colloidal Gel

G. Brambilla, S. Buzzaccaro, R. Piazza, L. Berthier, and L. Cipelletti
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 118302 – Published 14 March 2011
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Abstract

We use a combination of original light scattering techniques and particles with unique optical properties to investigate the behavior of suspensions of attractive colloids under gravitational stress, following over time the concentration profile, the velocity profile, and the microscopic dynamics. During the compression regime, the sedimentation velocity grows nearly linearly with height, implying that the gel settling may be fully described by a (time-dependent) strain rate. We find that the microscopic dynamics exhibit remarkable scaling properties when time is normalized by the strain rate, showing that the gel microscopic restructuring is dominated by its macroscopic deformation.

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  • Received 1 December 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.118302

© 2011 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Gels settle down

Published 18 March 2011

Light scattering measurements provide a microscopic picture of particle motion in a slowly sedimenting gel.

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Authors & Affiliations

G. Brambilla1, S. Buzzaccaro2, R. Piazza2, L. Berthier1, and L. Cipelletti1

  • 1Université Montpellier 2, Laboratoire Charles Coulomb UMR 5221, F-34095, Montpellier, France, CNRS, Laboratoire Charles Coulomb UMR 5221, F-34095, Montpellier, France
  • 2Dipartimento di Chimica, Politecnico di Milano, 20131 Milano, Italy

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Issue

Vol. 106, Iss. 11 — 18 March 2011

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