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Active Microrheology: A Proposed Technique to Measure Normal Stress Coefficients of Complex Fluids

Aditya S. Khair and Todd M. Squires
Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 156001 – Published 6 October 2010
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Abstract

We propose a microrheological technique to measure normal stress coefficients (NSCs) of complex fluids, which would represent the first quantitatively accurate measurement of a nonlinear rheological property by microrheology. Specifically, the mechanical response of almost all complex fluids to “weakly nonlinear” deformations is described by the second-order fluid model. Two microrheological probes pulled with equal velocities through a second-order fluid experience a relative force that is linear in the first and second NSCs of the complex fluid. We compute the coupling matrix between NSCs and relative forces for probes translating parallel and perpendicular to their line of centers, which can be inverted to yield NSCs from measured relative forces. There exists an optimum probe separation for inversion of the coupling matrix and, hence, experimental recovery of NSCs.

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  • Received 30 May 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.156001

© 2010 The American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Hold the ketchup

Published 15 October 2010

A different take on shearing forces in gooey fluids provides a better description of viscoelasticity.

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Authors & Affiliations

Aditya S. Khair and Todd M. Squires

  • Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5080, USA

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Issue

Vol. 105, Iss. 15 — 8 October 2010

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