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Chapter 8

New Insights from Rheo-small-angle Neutron Scattering

Rheo-small angle neutron scattering (rheo-SANS) methods combine microstructural SANS measurements with an applied deformation field in order to measure flow-induced structures in complex fluids. Such methods enable a robust characterization of the microstructure and flow properties of surfactant wormlike micelle (WLM) solutions. The development of new sample environments now enables the flow-induced microstructure to be measured in the three planes of shear: the flow–vorticity (1–3), flow–gradient (1–2), and gradient–vorticity (2–3) planes. Advances in neutron collection and data analysis have improved the temporal resolution of time-dependent responses, significantly reducing the time required to perform such measurements. Theoretical advances in constitutive modelling and the stress-SANS rule now permit the development and testing of structure–property relationships. Such methodologies have allowed flow instabilities, such as shear and vorticity banding, and shear-induced structural transitions to be identified in WLM solutions. Additional sample environments have enabled the study of WLMs under extensional and Poiseuille flows, in addition to flows in microfluidic devices.

Print publication date: 21 Mar 2017
Copyright year: 2017
Print ISBN: 978-1-78262-516-2
PDF eISBN: 978-1-78262-978-8
ePub eISBN: 978-1-78801-121-1
Citation:
From the book series:
Soft Matter Series