Measuring the distribution of interdroplet forces in a compressed emulsion system

The micromechanics of a variety of systems experiencing a structural arrest due to their high density could be unified by a thermodynamic framework governing their approach to ‘jammed’ configurations. The mechanism of supporting an applied stress through the microstructure of these highly packed materials is important in inferring the features responsible for the inhomo- geneous stress transmission and testing the universality for all jammed matter. In this paper, we present a novel method for measuring the force distribution within the bulk of a compressed emulsion system using confocal microscopy and explain our results with a simple theoretical model and computer simulations. We obtain an exponential distribution at large forces and a small peak at small forces, in agreement with previous experimental and simulation data for other particulate systems.

[1]  Model for the elasticity of compressed emulsions. , 1996, Physical review letters.

[2]  H. Jaeger,et al.  Force distributions in three-dimensional granular assemblies: effects of packing order and interparticle friction. , 2000, Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics.

[3]  Liu,et al.  Force Distributions near Jamming and Glass Transitions. , 2001, Physical review letters.

[4]  C. H. Liu,et al.  Force Fluctuations in Bead Packs , 1995, Science.

[5]  Heinrich M. Jaeger,et al.  FORCE DISTRIBUTION IN A GRANULAR MEDIUM , 1998 .

[6]  S J Antony,et al.  Evolution of force distribution in three-dimensional granular media. , 2000, Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics.

[7]  Narayan,et al.  Model for force fluctuations in bead packs. , 1995, Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics.

[8]  H. M. Princen,et al.  Rheology of foams and highly concentrated emulsions , 1983 .

[9]  Bolton,et al.  Rigidity loss transition in a disordered 2D froth. , 1990, Physical review letters.

[10]  S. F. Edwards,et al.  Statistical Mechanics of Stress Transmission in Disordered Granular Arrays , 1999 .

[11]  Jim R. Parker,et al.  Algorithms for image processing and computer vision , 1996 .

[12]  Thomas G. Mason,et al.  Shear Rupturing of Droplets in Complex Fluids , 1997 .

[13]  G. G. Stokes.  "J." , 1890, The New Yale Book of Quotations.

[14]  Roux,et al.  Force Distributions in Dense Two-Dimensional Granular Systems. , 1996, Physical review letters.

[15]  P. Dantu,et al.  Etude Statistique des Forces Intergranulaires dans un Milieu Pulverulent , 1968 .

[16]  P. Cundall,et al.  A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies , 1979 .

[17]  Schwartz,et al.  Packing of compressible granular materials , 2000, Physical review letters.

[18]  D G Schaeffer,et al.  Force distribution in a scalar model for noncohesive granular material. , 1999, Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics.

[19]  Mike Mannion,et al.  Complex systems , 1997, Proceedings International Conference and Workshop on Engineering of Computer-Based Systems.

[20]  Mason,et al.  Elasticity of Compressed Emulsions. , 1995, Physical review letters.

[21]  Hernán A Makse,et al.  3D bulk measurements of the force distribution in a compressed emulsion system. , 2003, Faraday discussions.

[22]  David C. Morse,et al.  Droplet Elasticity in Weakly Compressed Emulsions , 1993 .