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Getting out of a tight spot: Cooperative unclogging of hydrogel particles in disordered porous media

Sanjana Kamath1, Laurent Talon2,*, Meera Ramaswamy1,3, Christopher A. Browne4, and Sujit S. Datta1,5,†

  • *Contact author: laurent.talon@universite-paris-saclay.fr
  • †Contact author: ssdatta@caltech.edu
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Phys. Rev. Research 7, L032013 – Published 11 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/j3jz-x97q

Abstract

We use event-driven pore network modeling to study the transport of hydrogel particles through disordered porous media—a process that underlies diverse applications. By simulating particle advection, deformation, and clogging at the pore scale, we identify a dimensionless “squeezing parameter” that quantitatively predicts the depth to which particles penetrate into a given medium across diverse conditions. Our simulations also uncover a surprising cooperative effect: Adding more particles enables them to penetrate deeper into the medium. This phenomenon arises because individual particles redirect fluid to adjacent throats, forcing nearby particles through tight pores that they would otherwise clog. Altogether, these results help to establish a quantitative framework that connects microscopic particle mechanics to macroscopic transport behavior.

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Phys. Rev. Research 7, L032013– Published 11 July, 2025
  • Received 5 May 2025
  • Accepted 25 June 2025
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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