We consider rigid spherical particles coated with binding ligands and study their attachment in quiescent flow . This class of fluid-immersed adhesion is widespread in many natural and engineering 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). As an application of our theory, we consider a microbial population of spherical bacteria. Our results suggest that the elastic ligands allow large floc aggregates by inducing efficient inter-floc collisions (i.e., a large, non-zero collision factor). Strong electrolytic composition of the surrounding fluid favors large floc formation as well.
We present a multi-scale model to study the attachment of spherical particles with a rigid core, coated with binding ligands and in equilibrium with the surrounding, quiescent fluid medium . This class of fluid-immersed adhesion is widespread in many natural and engineering settings. Our theory highlights how the micro-scale binding kinetics of these ligands , as well as the attractive / repulsive surface potential in an ionic medium effects the eventual macro-scale size distribution of the particle aggregates (flocs). The results suggest that the presence of elastic ligands on the particle surface allow large floc aggregates by inducing efficient inter-floc collisions (i.e., a large, non-zero collision factor). Strong electrolytic composition of the surrounding fluid favors large floc formation as well.
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consider rigid spherical particles
present a multi-scale model to study the attachment of spherical particles with a rigid core,
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study their attachment in quiescent flow
in equilibrium with the surrounding, quiescent fluid medium
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physics of the
micro-scale
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(expressed through the collision factor function)
,
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size of these
macro-scale size distribution of the
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As an application of our theory, we consider a microbial population of spherical bacteria. Our
The
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elastic ligands
presence of elastic ligands on the particle surface