Micropipette: a new technique in emulsion research

Micron-scale studies on emulsions have, to date, been largely limited to the imaging of colloidal structures. In this communication, micropipette techniques are introduced as a progression beyond mere visualization: using small suction pipettes, mechanical experiments are performed on individual emulsion drops, from which interfacial properties can be deduced. To demonstrate this technique, the interfacial tension, emulsion stability and adsorption characteristics are directly assessed at the surfaces of micron-sized water droplets that are dispersed in crude oil.