Abnormal Behaviors of Interfacial and Transport Phenomena in Nanoscale Systems(3/3)

In macroscopic systems, the system characteristics depend mainly on their bulk properties. As the system size decreases to the microscale, however, the interfacial properties such as interfacial tensions and surface excess come into play. Down to the nanoscale level, the system behavior is significantly influenced by interfacial properties due to dramatic increment of the surface-to-volume ratio. Consequently, some micro- and nano-scale systems display special phenomena which cannot be observed in macroscopic systems. For example, the surfactant solutions and polymer thin films show the size-dependent behavior such as surface tension and critical micelle concentration (interfacial phenomena). Moreover, Washburn’s equation describing the penetration dynamics in closed channels fails at some conditions (transport phenomena). Obviously, the theories for macroscopic systems are not sufficient to explain the abnormal behaviors in nanoscale systems. In this three-year project, both theoretical and experimental approaches will be employed to explore the abnormal behaviors emerged in nanoscale systems, particularly for interfacial and transport phenomena. The theoretical work will involve mainly “Many-body dissipative particle dynamics” simulations and underlying mechanisms, while the experimental work will be concerned with nano-emulsions and their glass states and directed self propulsion of microdroplets. In the 1st ~ 2nd years, the penetration dynamics through open nanocapillaries will be investigated by simulations. Moreover, the formation of a nanoemulsion glass will be explored via high-energy ultrasonic processor. The systems of microdroplets self-propelling on substrates will also be constructed. In the 2nd ~ 3rd years, abnormal wetting phenomena of nanodroplets on grooves will be explored by simulations, and the influence of surface roughness topology will be studied. Furthermore, the low-energy approach will be used to fabricate nanoemulsion glasses. The method to direct self-propelled microdroplets will be developed as well.