Jamming rays in shear-thickening suspensions
Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 023302 – Published 4 February, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/5spw-7qbq
Abstract
We report a stress-focusing phenomenology occurring in shear-thickening suspensions. Dragging a rod in a two-dimensional layer of suspension with a high force triggers jamming rays, i.e., narrow intermittent jammed strips, which propagate stress anisotropically over long distances and set the drag on the rod. These jamming rays share similarities with previously reported jamming fronts, however, some of their key features, such as their strongly anisotropic propagation, trigger force, and characteristic width, challenge the current knowledge on shear-thickening suspensions.