No Arabic abstract
A density functional theory for colloidal dynamics is presented which includes hydrodynamic interactions between the colloidal particles. The theory is applied to the dynamics of colloidal particles in an optical trap which switches periodically in time from a stable to unstable confining potential. In the absence of hydrodynamic interactions, the resulting density breathing mode, exhibits huge oscillations in the trap center which are almost completely damped by hydrodynamic interactions. The predicted dynamical density fields are in good agreement with Brownian dynamics computer simulations.
This paper has been withdrawn by the author due to the incorrect application of the divergence theorem to Eqs 7, 8 and 9.
The influence of hydrodynamic interactions on lane formation of oppositely charged driven colloidal suspensions is investigated using Brownian dynamics computer simulations performed on the Rotne-Prager level of the mobility tensor. Two cases are considered, namely sedimentation and electrophoresis. In the latter case the Oseen contribution to the mobility tensor is screened due to the opposite motion of counterions. The simulation results are compared to that resulting from simple Brownian dynamics where hydrodynamic interactions are neglected. For sedimentation, we find that hydrodynamic interactions strongly disfavor laning. In the steady-state of lanes, a macroscopic phase separation of lanes is observed. This is in marked contrast to the simple Brownian case where a finite size of lanes was obtained in the steady-state. For strong Coulomb interactions between the colloidal particles a lateral square lattice of oppositely driven lanes is stable similar to the simple Brownian dynamics. In an electric field, on the other hand, the behavior is found in qualitative and quantitative accordance with the case of neglected hydrodynamics.
While the theory of diffusion of a single Brownian particle in confined geometries is well-established by now, we discuss here the theoretical framework necessary to generalize the theory of diffusion to dense suspensions of strongly interacting Brownian particles. Dynamical density functional theory (DDFT) for classical Brownian particles represents an ideal tool for this purpose. After outlining the basic ingredients to DDFT we show that it can be readily applied to flowing suspensions with time-dependent particle sources. Particle interactions lead to considerable layering in the mean density profiles, a feature that is absent in the trivial case of noninteracting, freely diffusing particles. If the particle injection rate varies periodically in time with a suitable frequency, a resonance in the layering of the mean particle density profile is predicted.
Using dynamical density functional theory (DDFT) methods we investigate the laning instability of a sheared colloidal suspension. The nonequilibrium ordering at the laning transition is driven by non-affine particle motion arising from interparticle interactions. Starting from a DDFT which incorporates the non-affine motion, we perform a linear stability analysis that enables identification of the regions of parameter space where lanes form. We illustrate our general approach by applying it to a simple one-component fluid of soft penetrable particles.
Self-propelled phoretic colloids have recently emerged as a promising avenue for the design of artificial swimmers. These swimmers combine purely phoretic interactions with intricate hydrodynamics which critically depend on the swimmer shape. Thermophobic dimer shaped colloids are here investigated by means of hydrodynamic simulations, from the single particle motion to their collective behavior. The combination of phoretic repulsion with hydrodynamic lateral attraction favors the formation of planar moving clusters. The resulting hydrodynamic assembly in flattened swarms is therefore very specific to these dimeric active colloids.