Eur. Phys. J. E (2008) 25: 153-161
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2007-10273-5

Regular Article

Spontaneous processes and stable structures in some three-phase cellular fluids

Faculty of Chemistry, A. Mickiewicz University, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780, Poznań, Poland

^* e-mail: gwnow@amu.edu.pl

Received: 6 March 2007
Accepted: 23 January 2008
Published online: 11 March 2008

Abstract

Cellular fluids are systems consisting of a collection of fluid cells surrounded by thin liquid films. In this study, systems composed of two different kinds of cells (i.e., filled with fluids A and B) immersed in a third fluid phase (a liquid C) have been examined. The object of the study is a collection of polyhedra of fluid B separated by a thin film of liquid C (a host B/C network), modified by the insertion of small droplets/bubbles of fluid A. Interfacial tensions acting along the A-C and B-C interfaces are assumed to be the only driving forces determining the structure of the resulting mixed system. Different configurations of mixed A/B/C systems, formed by the insertion of A singlets or doublets into the nodes, edges, films and interior parts of cells of the B/C network have been analyzed in terms of the interfacial energy of the system. The possibility of spontaneous migration of cells A through the B/C network and the possible final cell arrangements have been examined.