ABSTRACT
Self-assembly of dipolar particles assisted by external magnetic/electric field is relevant in the development of a wide range of applications. The inherent chain formation leads to outstanding magnetic properties that can be beneficial to drug delivery, microfluidic systems, electrophotographic devices, data recording , etc.
In this talk, I will address the lateral aggregation of dipolar chains driven by thermal fluctuations in an external strong magnetic field. A newly discovered simple electrostatic mechanism is exposed. The resulting curvature-mediated quadrupolar coupling rationalizes the counter-intuitive lateral coalescence of dipolar chains. Besides, our Monte Carlo simulations results corroborate this mechanism. These findings shed new light on a longstanding problem in soft matter and related areas.
BIOGRAPHY
Prof. René Messina studied physics at the University of Strasbourg in France and obtained there his Master Degree in 1994. He then moved in Paris (French Aerospace) where he gained his Doctor’s degree in Physics and Materials Science (under the supervision of Ladislas Kubin) at the University of Paris Orsay in 1998. In 1999, he embraced a new field of research, (charged) soft matter, in the famous Group of Kurt Kremer in Mainz at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. Several important publications concerning charged colloids and polyelectrolytes stem from that stay. In summer 2002, he started working with Hartmut Löwen in Düsseldorf, first as a post-doc during one year, and then about 8 years as an assistant professor. After 13 years spent in Germany, Prof. René Messina accepted a call at the University of Lorraine in France where he has been full Professor since 2011. His current research interest concerns self-assembly in dipolar systems.
Date & Time
Venue
Chair