Aerosols, Emulsions, Suspensions, and Foams
In the Dutcher Lab, we are interested in fundamental studies of the dynamics of complex interfaces and multiphase flows, with a particular focus on environmental remediation. Complex fluids are fluidic mixtures featuring multiple phases and mesoscopic length scales, and include atmospheric aerosols, liquid-liquid emulsions, polymeric solutions, and colloidal suspensions. These interface-rich systems are all around us in our everyday lives.
Using macro and micro-scale flow measurements and analytic mathematical modeling, we explore such areas as the thermodynamics of electrolyte-containing atmospheric aerosols, fluid dynamics and rheology of polymeric and particle-laden solutions, and microfluidics of multiphase flows.
Lab News
- July 2025: Graduate students Rana Bachnak and Musarrat Musarrat co-authored paper entitled "Enhanced Reactivity at the Oil-Water Interface Accelerates the Synthesis of Zymonic Acid in Microemulsions" was just accepted in Chemical Science. The work is a part of an exciting collaboration with Kevin Wilson, Brandon Wallace and others at Lawrence Berkeley Labs. Congrats Rana, Musarrat and all!
- June 2025: Graduate student Shu Yang's first authored paper entitled “The Role of Interfacial Processes in Accelerated Reaction in Nano- and Micro-droplets“ was just accepted in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A! This work is a part of an excellent ongoing collaboration with Vicki Grassian and researchers at UC San Diego. Congrats Shu and all!
- May 2025: Graduate student Homayra Tabassum Mumu passed her preliminary exam, and is now a CEMS PhD doctoral candidate. Congratulations Homayra!
- April 2025: Graduate student Meenal Rathi was awarded the 2025-2026 Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship. Congrats, Meenal!
- April 2025: Graduate student Shu Yang has accepted a postdoctoral position at Dr. Qui (Maggie) Qi's group at MIT upon graduation. Congrats and best wishes, Shu!
- April 2025: Graduate student Pragnya Chatterjee passed her preliminary exam, and is now a CEMS PhD doctoral candidate. Congratulations Pragnya!
- Feb 2025: Dr. Shihao Liu and graduate student Meenal Rathi's co-first authored paper "Curvature- and temperature-dependent transport of soluble surfactant mixtures to the air-aqueous surface with applications in fluorine-free firefighting foams" was just accepted by the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. Congrats Shihao and Meenal!
- Feb 2025: Graduate student Rana Bachnak passed her PhD defense, entitled "Microscale Interfaces of Complex Droplets: Factors Influencing Emulsion Stability". Many congratulations, Dr. Bachnak!
Jan 2025: Graduate student Shu Yang’s paper “Vertical Concentration Gradients of Soluble Surfactants in the Rupture of Thin Liquid Films” was just accepted by Journal of Colloid and Interface Science! Congratulations Shu!
See Archived News for more!