2014 journal article
In situ emulsification using a non-uniform alternating electric field
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, 105(7).
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
3. Good Health and Well-being
(Web of Science)
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
(OpenAlex)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018
We report an electric field based method for in situ emulsification of water droplets immersed in a continuous oil phase. High density water-in-oil emulsions are generated using non-uniform ac electric fields applied between needle and plate electrodes. An initial water droplet is entrained in the area of high electric field near the needle electrode where it is dispersed under the influence of high electric stresses. Breakup mechanisms responsible for a gradual dispersion of the water droplets are investigated. Identified mechanisms involve drop elongation to a cylindrical shape followed by a capillary breakup, ac electrospraying from individual water droplets, and formation and breakup of bead-like structures comprised by the water droplets interconnected by thin water bridges. Water droplets with diameters close to 1 μm and a narrow size distribution are formed at long processing times. The generated emulsion has a well-defined boundary and is confined near the needle electrode in a shape resembling a ...