Seeing the Unseen: Structure and Transport in Complex Fluids Across Scales
Dispersed particle flows are ubiquitous in both nature and industrial processes. They span an enormous range of length scales — from millimeter-sized fibers in paper pulp suspensions, to micrometer-sized red blood cells in the bloodstream, and down to nanoscale cellulose fibrils and crystals used in the development of next-generation sustainable materials.
Time: Mon 2026-03-16 13.00 - 14.00
Location: Stora Treesearch, semnarierummet
The ways in which these particles organize, interact, and aggregate under fluid deformation fundamentally govern the macroscopic behavior of the dispersion. These dynamics influence rheology, phase behavior, diffusivity and particle transport — factors that are critical for optimizing material manufacturing processes and, in biomedical contexts, for improving diagnostics and treatments.
Yet uncovering the physics behind these complex fluids requires in situ characterization, which remains a major experimental challenge. Dense particle dispersions are often opaque to visible light, limiting conventional imaging approaches. The wavelength of visible light also exceeds the dimensions of nanoscale materials of interest. X-ray methods, however, provide a powerful alternative. By combining static and dynamic scattering with advanced imaging at synchrotron facilities, it becomes possible to probe flowing matter across multiple length scales, from Ångströms to millimeters, and capture the structural dynamics as they unfold.
In this lecture, I will share my research journey within this field, highlight recent advances, and discuss future opportunities for revealing and ultimately controlling the behavior of complex particulate dispersions.