Paper Number
GR5 

Session
Gallery of Rheology Contest

Title
Mystic Smoke: The rheology of magic

Presentation Date and Time
October 23, 2019 (Wednesday) 6:30

Track / Room
Gallery of Rheology / Main Lobby on 3rd floor

Authors (Click on name to view author profile)

1. Nelson, Arif Z. (Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology)
2. Ewoldt, Randy H. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering)

Author and Affiliation Lines (in printed abstract book)
Arif Z. Nelson¹ and Randy H. Ewoldt^2
1Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 138602, Singapore; ²Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801

Speaker / Presenter 
Nelson, Arif Z.

Text of Abstract
Mystic Smoke is a material used in performance magic that is a highly-extensible yield-stress fluid. In this image, rapid extension of a thin film of Mystic Smoke between one’s fingers creates numerous thin fibrils due to the material’s high extensional viscosity. The fibrils persist due to the yield stress of the fluid and are then able to detach to create a “smoke” effect as shown. These rheological properties combine to allow a performer to produce smoke from their hands and can elevate a simple trick into something seemingly magical. Materials with properties like those of Mystic Smoke are relevant in adhesives as well as extrusion processes that include direct-write 3D printing.