<< ️Capillary suspensions are commonly encountered in a wide array of applications, but their stability in flow is not fully understood. Here, (AA) investigate the stability of a two-particle capillary cluster in extensional flow using a combination of theory and experiments. >>
<< ️A linear stability analysis reveals the existence of a critical capillary number Ca_𝑐=(8/45)cos𝜃 that depends only on the contact angle 𝜃. For Ca>Ca_𝑐, clusters are unconditionally unstable, regardless of initial conditions. For Ca <Ca_𝑐, a nonlinear analysis shows the existence of a Ca-dependent minimum interparticle separation beyond which breakup occurs. >>
<< ️The analytical model further supports the experimentally observed slowdown in relaxation dynamics. Theoretical predictions are supported by precise flow experiments using a Stokes trap, where active flow modulation is used to stabilize an initially unstable cluster in extensional flow. Overall, these (AA) results provide a quantitative understanding of capillary suspension stability in flow. >>
Sagar Chaudhary, Dimitrios Fraggedakis, Charles M. Schroeder. Stability of particle clusters bound by capillary bridges in extensional flow. Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, L032301. Mar 17, 2026.
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Keywords: gst, particle, instability, flow instability, capillary interactions, colloids, suspensions.
