Ostwald ripening

Ostwald ripening is a process where larger particles or droplets in a mixture grow at the expense of smaller ones over time. Smaller particles tend to dissolve more easily because they have higher surface energy, releasing their material into the surrounding environment. This material then diffuses and deposits onto larger particles, making them grow bigger. As a result, the overall system becomes less uniform, with fewer, larger particles and fewer small ones. This process is common in many fields, such as metallurgy, materials science, and food technology, influencing the stability and structure of materials.