Interface Deformation and Capillary Interaction Between Plate-Like Particles On Curved Surfaces

Owing to surface area minimization, anisotropic colloids create interface deformations and self-assemble into well-defined structures.  Whether plate-like particles create interface deformations at the micro and nanoscale, and the role of background surface curvature are open questions. Here we consider flat and bent plate-like micron scale colloids on curved fluid interfaces to study (i) how particles in the limit of zero gravity create surface distortions, and (ii) the manner in which steric constraints imposed by particle features guide aggregate geometries. Particular consideration will be given to aspects of shape non-ideality, such as the finite length and thickness of the plate, and the finite curvature of the plate edges.