Session K8: Focus Session: Jamming in Glasses, Grains and Gels II

2:30 PM–5:30 PM, Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Baltimore Convention Center - 314

Sponsoring Unit: GSNP
Chair: Corey O'Hern, Yale University

Abstract ID: BAPS.2006.MAR.K8.4

Abstract: K8.00004 : Pushing on colloids: How a gel can stress a glass

3:06 PM–3:42 PM

Preview Abstract

Author:

  Daniel Blair
    (Harvard University)

We employ a novel technique to for the application of external mechanical and osmotic stress on dense suspensions of colloidal particles. Thermally expandable NIPA hydrogels are used to confine a sediment of colloidal particles. By allowing the gel to expand up to ten times it's initial volume, we dramatically compress the sediment. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy, we directly measure the effects of increased stress on the properties of a colloidal hard sphere suspensions. We observe the appearance of heterogeneities as the particles are pushed together. We will present results on the analysis of the local volume and dynamical properties of these heterogeneities and postulate their equivalence to characteristic features of analogous systems near their jamming transition.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2006.MAR.K8.4