Research

Theoretical Sciences

Title :

Electrophoresis of non-uniformly charged particles in complex fluids

Area of research :

Theoretical Sciences

Principal Investigator :

Prof. Uddipta Ghosh, Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Timeline Start Year :

2023

Timeline End Year :

2026

Contact info :

Details

Executive Summary :

Electrophoresis, characterized as the migration of a charged particle under the influence of an externally imposed electric field, has important applications in biochemical analysis and medical diagnostics. Many of these applications often use non-uniformly charged particles in buffer solutions with complex rheology, a paradigm that remains hugely under-explored and yet is rich in mathematical rigor. In the present project, we thus aim to formulate a general analytical framework using a combination of regular and matched (singular) asymptotic techniques, along with the generalized reciprocal theorem, to probe the electrophoretic motion of a non-uniformly charged particle in viscoelastic media. The particle trajectories as well as the possible influence of depletion layers around the particle surface will also be explored in this project. The asymptotic solutions will subsequently be validated and expanded upon using numerical simulations of the complete set of the governing equations that combine electromechanics with complex fluidic rheology.

Total Budget (INR):

6,60,000

Organizations involved

Implementing Agency :

Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Funding Agency :

Anusandhan National Rsearch Foundation (ANRF)/Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)

Source :

Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), DST 2022-23

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