Colloids

Colloids are suspensions of very small particles on a fluid. Here, the studied colloid are carbon black in oil (ie. soot in oil). Funny enough, when slowly sheared, the particles organize in rolls.

Microscopic picture of a carbon black suspension
Microscopic picture of a carbon black suspension
Microscopic picture of a carbon black suspension sheared. The soot particles organise in rollers.

When these colloidal suspensions flow down an inclined plane, they form channels and islands. This can be observed in everyday life on yoghurt pots or smoothy juice bottles.

7° inclination
30° inclination