TCDL · Topological Colloidal Double Layers

Topological Colloidal Double Layers

"In the project Topological Colloidal Double Layers (TCDL) we addressed the problem how a complex geometry or topology can influence the distribution of ions in a wide variety of systems, spanning charge-stabilised colloidal dispersions, but also biological systems such as charged proteins or DNA. We encounter ions everywhere in daily life, where the simplest example is table salt or sodiumchloride, which dissociates in Na+ and Cl-, and other ions that form an integral part of the human body where they are involved in many cellular processes, but also in electronic devices. Our research, is therefore very topical, and leads as a far-reach goal, to a better general understanding of how ions can be used to manipulate electrical charges around large-scale structures (such as proteins), but also in devices. Moreover, new materials can be discovered, that are based on these complex-shaped ion distributions, having immediate societal and technological benefits. The overall objectives of the TCDL project were to find out how ionic charges, that can be as simple as table salt, can influence electrical fields and how they distribute themselves around charged complex-shaped particles (such as colloidal particles or biological charged ""big"" molecules such as DNA). Moreover, this may lead to many novel interesting inter-particle interactions and to the formation of new large-scale structures, such as colloidal crystals, which possible photonic applications."

Data: CORDIS, © European Union