Optimizing Hyperuniformity in Self-Assembled Bidisperse Emulsions

TL;DR

This paper investigates how to optimize hyperuniformity in bidisperse droplet packings using microfluidics, identifying defect control as key to creating transparent, hyperuniform materials with potential applications.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic method to enhance hyperuniformity in bidisperse emulsions by controlling size and concentration ratios, leading to novel transparent materials.

Findings

Optimal bidispersity improves hyperuniformity

Defects increase long-range density fluctuations

Optimized materials exhibit transparency properties

Abstract

We study long range density fluctuations (hyperuniformity) in two-dimensional jammed packings of bidisperse droplets. Taking advantage of microfluidics, we systematically span a large range of size and concentration ratios of the two droplet populations. We identify various defects increasing long range density fluctuations mainly due to organization of local particle environment. By choosing an appropriate bidispersity, we fabricate materials with a high level of hyperuniformity. Interesting transparency properties of these optimized materials are established based on numerical simulations.