Session P30: Focus Session: Rheology and Hydrodynamics of Wormlike Micellar Fluids

11:15 AM–12:51 PM, Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Colorado Convention Center Room: 304

Sponsoring Unit: DFD
Chair: Andrew Belmonte, Pennsylvania State University

Abstract ID: BAPS.2007.MAR.P30.1

Abstract: P30.00001 : Dynamics of the Shear Banding Instability

11:15 AM–11:51 AM

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Author:

  Peter Olmsted
    (University of Leeds)

A variety of complex fluids, such as liquid crystals, polymers, and surfactant solutions (lamellae or cylindrical micelles), are easily perturbed by shear flow and exhibit apparent ``phase transitions'' and complex nonlinear dynamics. ``Shear banding,'' or separation of material into bands of different apparent viscosities, has been reliably observed in wormlike micelles and many other systems. Despite a general one dimensional (1D) theory that predicts stable bands, recent experiments suggest that the generic situation is dynamic, rather than steady bands. After an overview I will discuss recent calculations that address the possibility of rheo-chaos, and two dimensional calculations to verify or refute the previously found 1D solutions. I will also discuss the possibility of shear banding in the closely related system of entangled polymer solutions.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2007.MAR.P30.1