Work

Encoding quadrupolar capillary information into saddle-shaped objects for self-assembly

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Capillary-driven self-assembly at liquid interfaces, often illustrated by the ``Cheerios effect,'' has been limited to simple configurations. By introducing anisotropic, saddle-shaped particles, we demonstrate how quadrupolar capillary interactions can be encoded to achieve both end-to-end and side-by-side attraction; what we call the ``Pringles effect.'' Our theoretical model and experiments with 3D-printed objects reveal a versatile route to reprogrammable mesoscale assemblies, bridging capillarity and design for complex self-organization.

Source: Physical Review Fluids

DOI: 10.1103/f3tr-kby1

Authors: Megan Delens, Nicolas Vandewalle

Institution: University of Liège

Language: English

Topic: Pickering emulsions and particle stabilization

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS, Centro de Estudos Ambientais e Marinhos, Universidade de Aveiro

Award: G4415257073