Colloidal electroconvection in a thin horizontal cell. I. Microscopic cooperative patterns at low voltage

摘要: Applying an electric field to aqueous colloidal dispersion establishes a complex interplay of forces among the highly mobile simple ions, more charged but less spheres, and surrounding water. This can induce wide variety visually striking dynamical instabilities even when applied is constant. paper reports on organized patterns that emerge electrohydrodynamic compete with gravity in thin layers charge-stabilized spheres subjected low voltages between parallel-plate electrodes. Depending conditions, these form levitating clusters morphologies ranging from tumbling clouds toroidal vortex rings writhing labyrinths.