Biomimetic electrochemistry of emulsion micro-droplets at the polarised interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions

The project is focused on the observation and analysis of the single-event collision and fusion of micrometre-sized emulsion droplets with the electrochemically polarised micro-interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions. Electrochemical methodology will be developed to investigate (a) droplet collision ion transfer in surfactant-free emulsion systems, (b) droplet collision ion transfer in surfactant-stabilised emulsion systems, (c) droplet collision electron transfer in surfactant-free and surfactant-stabilised emulsion systems, and (d) the possibility to enhance the sensitivity of the single-event collision measurements by means of coupling electrochemistry with fluorescence spectroscopy. The single-event processes in focus are primarily unique and largely unexplored electrochemical phenomena. They could also be considered to represent a biomimetic model of cellular endo(exo)cytosis and synaptic signal transmission. Finally, the experimental platform proposed in this project could provide novel ways to study commercially important emulsions via electrochemical means.