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Using Acoustic Perturbations to Dynamically Tune Shear Thickening in Colloidal Suspensions

Prateek Sehgal1,*, Meera Ramaswamy2,†, Itai Cohen2,‡, and Brian J. Kirby1,3,§

  • 1Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
  • 2Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
  • 3Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill–Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021,USA

  • *ps824@cornell.edu
  • †mr944@cornell.edu
  • ‡itai.cohen@cornell.edu
  • §kirby@cornell.edu
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 128001 – Published 17 September, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.128001

Abstract

Colloidal suspensions in industrial processes often exhibit shear thickening that is difficult to control actively. Here, we use piezoelectric transducers to apply acoustic perturbations to dynamically tune the suspension viscosity in the shear-thickening regime. We attribute the mechanism of dethickening to the disruption of shear-induced force chains via perturbations that are large relative to the particle roughness scale. The ease with which this technique can be adapted to various flow geometries makes it a powerful tool for actively controlling suspension flow properties and investigating system dynamics.

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Synopsis

Softening Tones Make Shear-Thickening Fluids Relax

Published 17 September, 2019

An acoustic signal can control the viscosity in shear-thickening materials, which have potential uses as impact absorbers.

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 128001– Published 17 September, 2019
  • Received 16 May 2019
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