Directed microfluidic assembly and engineering of complex fluids

This project seeks to investigate the directed assembly and engineering of complex fluids and formulations, from the molecular scale and thermodynamics, to macroscopic performance, including rheo-mechanical, optical and lifetime (or metastability).

“Complex fluids” are generally (i) structured, (ii) multicomponent and (iii) non-Newtonian and find ubiquitous applications in personal care, cosmetics, coatings, food and oil & gas industries. Understanding their formulation, flow behaviour and processing is key to engineering their performance, add value and respond to consumer expectations and demands. Microfluidics provides a unique environment for investigating and assembling complex fluids due to the commensurability of length (10s nm - mm) and timescales (ms – 10s min). We will couple novel microflow devices with Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and other experimental approaches, including light scattering and microscopy. Using photolithographic techniques, microdevices with tuneable flow type and magnitude can be readily fabricated, provides an exceptional platform to manipulate single and multiphase fluids with unprecedented control and reproducibility. These can be coupled with real-time analytical techniques to provide time-resolved information about non-equilibrium processes, including conformational or phase transitions in complex fluids. In a (micro)tubular reactor, processing time t (or reaction time) maps directly into channel position, providing a unique spatio-temporal insight required for the detailed study of kinetic processes. From an industrial point of view, this quantitative insight assists the design and optimisation of processing strategies, as the structure and (meta-)stability of complex mixtures largely controls their performance in applications.

Our project involves a major consumer goods company, P&G, with leading research into formulations and processing. We will concentrate on multicomponent surfactant systems, polymer mixtures and microemulsions, and will study spatio-temporal transitions to understand and control non-equilibrium changes that occur during processing. We will determine flow-induced “phase diagrams” as well as their relaxation characteristics. The determination and engineering of such kinetic parameters allows process and formulation optimisation, valuable for the process industries. This project offers a unique opportunity to combine fundamental and applied research where thermodynamic insight gained from experimental data will be used to guide formulation and processing.
Applicants should have a degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or Materials Science or related discipline. Academic knowledge of soft and condensed matter physics will be appreciated, as demonstrated interest in developing new instrumentation and approaches. The position requires excellent experimental, communication and interpersonal skills.