Making New Particles One By One

Explore the cutting-edge research on creating novel particles using microfluidic devices in this 38-minute lecture by David A. Weitz from Harvard University's Department of Physics and SEAS. Discover how fluid drops serve as templates for forming complex structures with unique properties and significant technological potential. Learn about the precise control offered by microfluidic techniques and their application in producing nanoparticles of various materials, including the surprising creation of amorphous forms of typically crystalline substances like table salt. Gain insights into the scalability of this particle-by-particle production method for both fundamental studies and practical applications. This talk, presented at the Fred Kavli Special Symposium on Physics Frontiers during the APS March Meeting 2016, offers a fascinating look at the intersection of physics, materials science, and nanotechnology.