Dynamic self-assembly and patterns in electrostatically driven granular media.
We show that granular media, consisting of metallic microparticles immersed in a poorly conducting liquid in a strong dc electric field, self-assemble into a rich variety of novel phases. These phases include static precipitates: honeycombs and Wigner crystals; and novel dynamic condensates: toroidal vortices and pulsating rings. The observed structures are explained by the interplay between charged granular gas and electrohydrodynamic convective flows in the liquid.
Sapozhnikov
M V
MV
Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
Tolmachev
Y V
YV
Aranson
I S
IS
Kwok
W-K
WK