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Abstract #3144

The Anomalous Diffusion Parameter &[alpha] Provides the Most Relevant Information of Structural Complexity in Heterogeneous Media

Marco Palombo1, 2, Andrea Gabrielli3, Giancarlo Ruocco1, 4, Silvia Capuani1, 2

1Physics Department, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; 2CNR IPCF UOS Roma, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; 3ISC-CNR, Rome, Italy; 4CNR IPCF UOS Roma, Sapienza University , Rome, Italy

The anomalous diffusion parameter &[alpha], which quantifies sub-diffusion processes was investigated as a function of the sphere-density &[phi]. We demonstrated, by using numerical simulation and experimental results that, unlike conventional tortuosity investigations based on long diffusion time behavior of D(t)/D0, &[alpha] quantifies the global structural complexity (disorder) of heterogeneous systems. Moreover, we showed that &[alpha] can be measured by using &[Delta]-varying PFG experiment which is faster than the diffusion time behavior of D(t)/D0 study. As a consequence we speculate that our approach could be used as a new tool to probe changes in microstructural properties in healthy and pathological tissues.

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Keywords

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