Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/M75372/01
Title:	MULTIPARTICLE COLLOIDAL INTERACTIONS IN PROCESSES & PRODUCTS: A FUNDAMENTAL INVESTIGATION
Principal Investigator:	Bowen, Professor WR
Other Investigators:	Williams, Professor R
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Chemical & Biological Process Eng
Organisation:	Swansea University
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 November 1999	Ends:	31 October 2002	Value (£):	157,016
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Complex fluids & soft solids Separation Processes
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Manufacturing Chemicals Food and Drink Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:	GR/M75389/01
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The interactions between colloidal particles, or between colloidal particles and an interface, control the operation of many industrially important processes and also determine the properties of the final products. However, an increasing number of experimental observations cannot be explained by the conventional (DLVO) theory of colloidal interactions. These include the measurement of long-range attractive interactions between colloids of like charge close to a charged interface, phase separation of concentrated colloidal fluids and anomalously low rates of filtration. Such interactions could be very important for industrial processes and products, which are usually concentrated and often used at interfaces. However, their interpretation has led to a controversy of unusual intensity. A systematic experimental and theoretical programme of work is proposed to provide a detailed explanation of these phenomena. Advanced instrumental methods will be used: atomic force microscopy, multi-angle photon correlation spectroscopy, video microscopy and virtual gap rheometry. Sophisticated theoretical analyses using finite element techniques will be used to quantify the interactions in appropriate particle configurations. Another key approach will be the use of process data (ultrafiltration rates) to elucidate the fundamental interactions between concentrated colloidal particles. The work programme is based on world-leading experimental and theoretical approaches already established by the applicants.
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