Soft matter: from shapes to forces on the nanoscale.

Chan, Derek Y C; Manor, Ofer; Connor, Jason N; Horn, Roger G · Soft Matter · 2008

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Soft matter deforms in response to imposed external forces. Here we demonstrate how dynamic surface forces are linked to far-field deformations. This offers a new paradigm for determining forces between soft particles in colloidal systems. The particular example we use to illustrate this concept is that of a fluid drop interacting with a solid wall through hydrodynamic drainage flow coupled with repulsive or attractive dissimilar electrical double layer interactions. The force can be deduced from a simple analysis of the drop surface geometry outside the interaction zone.