Acquisition of Rheological Research Equipment

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Proposal Number: CTS 9977451Principal Investigator: N. WagnerThis Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award supports the acquisition of core instrumentation in the field of rheology at the University of Delaware. It is intended to augment the current capabilities and to replace current equipment with state of the art technology. The field of rheology is rapidly evolving, with a deeper focus on combined methods for probing material microstructures in complex fluids, as well as new challenges in such areas as biotechnology and advanced materials. The instrumentation will enable the University to add the new techniques of orthogonal superposition, high pressure rheometry, differential thermal rheometry, advanced rheo-optics, dielectric thermal analysis, and improved electrorheology. The instrumentation will be central to the University's multidisciplinary rheological community, which spans five departments and includes over 14 faculty, 39 Ph.D. students. 15 postdoctoral students, and 20 undergraduate research assistants. It will support research in the areas of polymers for electrorheological applications, coatings, complex fluids, photonic crystals, bio-engineered food additives, food processing, and high pressure surfactant solutions.