Aggregate and Agglomerate Nanoparticle Formation Dynamics

Nanoparticles naturally form aggregates in a partly frustrated attempt to reduce surface area. Aggregation is a general phenomena of nature whose features apply to ceramic oxides, carbon, proteins and other biomolecules and a variety of industrial materials such as detergents, foods and pharmaceuticals. Despite the broad interest and importance of aggregation phenomena, aggregation remains difficult to control and even to describe. This session focuses on novel approaches to describe, quantify, predict and control aggregation and agglomeration with an emphasis on the generality of the phenomena.