Desiccation Cracks in Colloidal Films: Role of External Fields
ABSTRACT :
Desiccation cracks, also known as drying-induced cracks, are structural irregularities that appear in particulate or polymer films when liquid evaporates during the drying process. These cracks emerge due to the interplay between compressive capillary pressure and resistance offered by the substrate against material shrinkage. They are a common occurrence in nature and can be observed in dried mud or paint on walls, among other examples. Studies have shown that the spatial arrangement of these cracks can be altered by applying external fields such as electric, magnetic, or thermal fields. This talk will delve into various intriguing crack morphologies, including well-separated periodic lines, concentric circular rings, and interconnected networks, induced either by applying external fields or by customizing the shape of colloids and nature of the substrate. Furthermore, the relationshi p between the microstructure of colloidal films and crack patterns, as well as the nucleation and growth kinetics of cracks under applied fields will be discussed in detail.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Dillip Kumar Satapathy obtained his Master in Science from Utkal University, Master in Technology degree from Department of Physics, IIT Delhi, and earned his Ph.D. from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. After postdoctoral research at Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland and at the Department of Physics, University of Fribourg, Switzerland, he joined the faculty of the Physics Department of Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India, in 201 2, where he is now a Professor. His current research interests are in experimental soft condensed matter physics with a special focus on polymer physics, self-assembly of colloids, soft actuators and flexible thermoelectrics.