Paper Number
PL2
Session
Plenary Lectures
Title
Rheology revealed - Measuring the atomistic-to-micron scale structure and dynamics of complex fluids and soft matter under flow with neutrons
Presentation Date and Time
October 7, 2014 (Tuesday) 8:30
Track / Room
Plenary Lectures / Millennium Hall
Authors
- Wagner, Norman J. (University of Delaware, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering)
Author and Affiliation Lines
Norman J. Wagner
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Speaker / Presenter
Wagner, Norman J.
Text of Abstract
The development of structure-property relationships for rheologically interesting fluids and soft materials is a common goal among rheologists and as a consequence, numerous methods have been developed to measure material structure under controlled flows - with the use of visible light being the most well known in the form of rheo-optics, light scattering, and direct microscopic observation under flow. In this presentation I will discuss the use of neutrons as a relatively new means of quantitatively investigating the structure, from the atomistic to the 10s of micron in scale, of rhelogically complex fluids and soft materials under flow, as well as the nano- to micron scale dynamics in such materials. Methods to reveal the microstructure responsible for a broad range of rheologically interesting behaviors will be illustrated with examples including: shear thinning and thickening colloidal suspensions, shear banding polymer-like micelles, multilamellar vesicles, polymer blends, block copolymers, self-assembled surfactants, thixotropic gels, proteins and biopharmaceuticals. Methods to study the nanoscale internal dynamics of these fluids are also introduced and shown to reveal relationships between nanostructure and rheological properties. I will also discuss opportunities for further advances in this approach and connections to nonequilibrium thermodynamics and materials discovery, design, and development.