Optimized cross-slot flow geometry for microfluidic extension rheometry

S.J. Haward, Monica Oliveira, M.A. Alves, G.H. McKinley

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130 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

A precision-machined cross-slot flow geometry with a shape that has been optimized by numerical simulation of the fluid kinematics is fabricated and used to measure the extensional viscosity of a dilute polymer solution. Full-field birefringence microscopy is used to monitor the evolution and growth of macromolecular anisotropy along the stagnation point streamline, and we observe the formation of a strong and uniform birefringent strand when the dimensionless flow strength exceeds a critical Weissenberg number Wicrit 0:5. Birefringence and bulk pressure drop measurements provide self consistent estimates of the planar extensional viscosity of the fluid over a wide range of deformation rates (26 s1 "_ 435 s1) and are also in close agreement with numerical simulations performed by using a finitely extensible nonlinear elastic dumbbell model.
Original languageEnglish
Article number128301
Number of pages5
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume109
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Sept 2012

Keywords

  • flow geometry
  • microfluidics
  • rheometry
  • polymer solutions
  • anisotropy
  • birefringence
  • cross-flow

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