Active Emulsions

We aim at creating a new class of active materials with unique on demand properties. This dream could be achieved by render a simple emulsion, a.k.a. yield stress fluids, active thanks to the addition of active agents. We will use light-responsive microalgae as active units to tame the rheology of the emulsion. This project will open new routes in the design of active materials.

This project consists of:

1 – Characterization of algal survival in different media
2 – Preparation of emulsions with different formulations
3 – Study the effect of the algae on the rheology of the emulsions.

Would you like take a step with us in understanding active emulsions?

And would you like one or more of the following:

fluorescence microscopy
images and data processing with Python
rheology of complex fluids

then send an email to apply for a Bsc/MSc internship!

Figure 1: Left oil-in-water emulsion. Right confocal image of an active emulsions. The oil droplets (red) are dispersed in water containing microalgae (green)

Supervisor: Daniel Bonn and Antoine Deblais
More info: A.deblais@uva.nl
Project type: Bachelor or Master


Postal Adress

Van der Waals-Zeeman Instituut
University of Amsterdam
P.O. Box 94485
1090 GL Amsterdam

Visit us

Science Park 904
C4.238 (4th floor)
1098 XH Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Contact us

Phone: +31 (0)20 525 6311
Fax:      +31 (0)20 525 5102
Email:   secr-iop-science(at)uva.nl