Collaborative Research: Statistical Study of the Homogeneous Nucleation by Applying a Novel Multidroplet Levitator Trap and Microscopic Theory of Homogeneous Nucleation

Suny At Buffalo, Amherst NY

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract CTS- 0000548 E.Ruckenstein, Research foundation of SUNY at Buffalo It is proposed to advance our understanding of the phenomenon of homogeneous nucleation , with an emphasis on better experimental purity of supersaturated solutions and also with the help of a detailed theoretical interpretation at the microscopic level. Purity (i.e. the elimination of contaminants, to be found often in the neighborhood of the walls) will be achieved by employing the "electromagnetic levitation trap" technique, which provide and isolate a large sample of droplets of nearly identical properties. The characteristics of the space-time interaction between solute clusters and the supersaturated solution will be measured reliably: such macroscopic properties as the induction times of the initial microdroplets will then enable the determination of the constants which quantify best the microscopic model. Special interest is centered on the stochastic nature of this model. The accuracy of this experimental input will rest on the construction of new devices, especially the "linear quadrupole electromagnetic levitator trap" which will produce an accurate time sequence of the nucleation process.