title: Direct observation of a nonequilibrium electro-osmotic instability.
abstract: We present a visualization of the predicted instability in ionic conduction from a binary electrolyte into a charge selective solid. This instability develops when a voltage greater than critical is applied to a thin layer of copper sulfate flanked by a copper anode and a cation selective membrane. The current-voltage dependence exhibits a saturation at the limiting current. With a further increase of voltage, the current increases, marking the transition to the overlimiting conductance. This transition is mediated by the appearing vortical flow that increases with the applied voltage.
authors.affiliation: Racah Institute of Physics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel. robinst@bgu.ac.il
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rubinstein
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Manukyan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staicu
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rubinstein
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zaltzman
authors.forename: R G H
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Lammertink
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mugele
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wessling