Industry/University Research Activity: Rheology and Mechanics of Fluids with Microstructure

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Measurements will be made of the rheological properties of suspensions of fibers in Newtonian fluids. Two techniques, falling ball rheometry and rotational viscometry, will be used and the results compared.The influence of fiber volume fraction, fiber aspect ratio, and fiber orientation will be studied. Complimentary studies for suspensions of spheres are being carried out by the principal investigator with industrial and national laboratory collaboration. If time permits, joint work with a theoretician will model the falling ball experiments. The research should assist in understanding the flow of fluids with complex microstructure such as are used in preparing fiber reinforced structures and possibly in influencing the structure of the final product. There is a possibility that the experimental results would stimulate theoreticians to develop very different approaches to the modelling of suspension rheology.