Convection patterns in colloidal solutions

We investigate the bifurcation properties and pattern selection in Rayleigh-Benard convecting binary mixtures for parameter combinations that are typical for colloidal fluids using the Galerkin method. In such fluids the typical Lewis numbers and separation ratios differ by orders of magnitude from the values found in molecular mixtures like alcohol/water. We study stationary rolls, square and crossroll patterns for positive separation ratios, and traveling waves for negative separation ratios. Results are compared to those for molecular mixtures.