We present a mechanistic model for the adherence of two spherical flocs in quiescent flow conditions . Adhesion forces arise via the binding ligands as well as the attractive / repulsive surface potential in an ionic medium via the DLVO theory. The reversible binding kinetics are assumed to follow the standard model for linear springs \mbox{%DIFAUXCMD Dembo1988 that large floc aggregates are possible with more tensile ligands due to efficient inter-floc collisions ( measured via the collision factor). Our results quantify how fluid drag and strong electrolytic composition of the surrounding fluid favor floc formation as well.
We consider the attachment of spherical particles in quiescent flow conditions with their surface coated with binding ligands, a model for fluid-immersed adhesion in many biological and artificial settings. Our theory highlights how the physics of the binding kinetics of these ligands (expressed through the collision factor function) as well as the attractive / repulsive surface potential in an ionic medium effects the eventual size of these particle aggregates (flocs). For experimentally measurable parameters in microbial population studies, our results suggests that large floc aggregates are possible with more stretchable ligands due to efficient inter-floc collisions ( or a large, non-zero collision factor). Strong electrolytic composition of the surrounding fluid favors large floc formation as well.
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present a mechanistic model for the adherence of two spherical flocs
consider the attachment of spherical particles
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. Adhesion forces arise via the binding ligands
with their surface coated with binding ligands, a model for fluid-immersed adhesion in many biological and artificial settings. Our theory highlights how the physics of the binding kinetics of these ligands (expressed through the collision factor function)
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via the DLVO theory. The reversible binding kinetics are assumed to follow the standard model for linear springs \mbox{%DIFAUXCMD Dembo1988
effects the eventual size of these particle aggregates (flocs). For experimentally measurable parameters in microbial population studies, our results suggests
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tensile
stretchable
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measured via the
or a large, non-zero
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Our results quantify how fluid drag and strong
Strong
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favor
favors large