Research Interests

Professor White's research is aimed at understanding the physical properties that control the interaction of particles in complex fluids and exploiting that understanding to optimize the operation of colloidal processes in industry.

Colloidal Electrokinetics
The mobility and dielectric response of suspensions of colloidal particles can be calculated as a function of particle size and state of charge and frequency of the applied electric field. This theoretical analysis provides the basis for interpretation of experiment and design of new instrumentation for measuring the charge, size and shape of suspended particulates.

Interparticle Forces
The interaction of particles in suspension determines the flow and light scattering properties and the stability of the suspension. The calculation of these forces by continuum and statistical mechanics and the prediction of the suspension properties is an important part of modern colloid science and technology. Theory also plays a role in the interpretation of new force measurement techniques such as Atomic Force Microscopy.

Solid-Liquid Separation Modelling
Compressional rheology is a new tool for modeling the dewatering of suspensions by physical processes such as gravity thickening or filtration. The theory identifies the compressional parameters which must be measured in the laboratory to enable efficient scale-up of bench-scale separation processes to the plant. An application currently under investigation is to predict the stresses which cause cracking in the drying of ceramic bodies .

Representative Publications

Landman, K.A., Stankovich, J.M. and White, L.R. "The Measurement of the Filtration Diffusivity D(f) of a Flocculated Suspension" A.I.Ch.E.Journal (1999), 45, 1875-1882. 

Solomentsev, Y. and White, L.R. "Microscopic Drop Profiles and the Origins of Line Tension" J. Colloid Interface Sci. (1999), 218, 122-136. 

Dagastine, R.R., Prieve, D.C. and White, L.R. "The Dielectric Function for Water and its Application to van der Waals Forces" J. Colloid Interface Sci., (2000), 231, 351-358. 

Dagastine, R.R. and White, L.R. "Forces between a Rigid Probe Particle and a Liquid Interface (II) The General Case," J.Colloid Interface Sci., (2002), 247, 310-320. 

Brown, L.A., Zukoski, C.F. and White, L.R. "Consolidation During Drying of Aggregated Suspensions," A.I.Ch.E.J, (2002), 48, 492-502.