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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/K59002/02
Title: FLOW PROPERTIES OF SURFACTANT MESOPHASES/PASTES - ORIENTATION, MICROSTRUCTURE, DISPERSION AND RHEOLOGY
Principal Investigator: Tiddy, Professor GJT
Other Investigators:
Odell, Dr JA
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Unilever
Department: Chemistry
Organisation: UMIST
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 April 1997 Ends: 31 March 1999 Value (£): 98,785
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Complex fluids & soft solids Rheology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
We will make steady and oscillatory shear and extensional flow measurements on aqueous surfactant mesophases (lamellar, gel, hexagonal and cubic) for homologous series of pure non-ionic and cationic surfactants. Concurrently, measurements will be made of the flow-induced aggregate orientation and defect formation within the mesophase, using diffraction, optical and spectroscopic techniques. This will include the development of a flow cell for use in multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy. Subsequently we will study mixed non-ionic surfactants and ionic/non-ionic surfactant mixtures. From these results we will develop models relating mesophase rheology to aggregate structure and dimensions, and hence to surfactant type. Parallel studies will be carried out on commercial surfactant products. The results will be used to improve current processing procedures and to reduce the time required for developing processing methods for new formulations. The improved understanding will also assist in the design of new products for rapid dissolution and dispersion.
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