| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S10438/01 |
| Title: |
High speed and ultra-high speed microphotographic studies of meso-scale rheological and cavitation phenomena in a modified Atomic Force Microscope |
| Principal Investigator: |
Williams, Professor R |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Chemical & Biological Process Eng |
| Organisation: |
Swansea University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 February 2003 |
Ends: |
30 September 2004 |
Value (£): |
317,009
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Fluid Dynamics |
Instrumentation Eng. & Dev. |
| Rheology |
|
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Chemicals |
Food and Drink |
| Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
In our recent work an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was used (for the first time) in conjunction with high speed microphotography (HSMP) to record the stretching of meso-scale fluid films between separating surfaces. The purpose of this application is to make the necessary substantive improvements to our prototype AFM-HSMP apparatus in order to study meso-scale rheological and cavitation phenomena, including film-splitting and microscopic filament stretching. The incorporation of a high resolution Image Intensifier Lens in our HSMP system will facilitate the recording of cavitation bubble dynamics at ultra-high speeds (25 million frames per second) with minimal sample heating. This work will provide (i) the first estimate: of the effective tensile strength of fluids such as biological lubricants and PFPE lubricants used in MEMS devices, under the high rates of tensile stress development characterising their normal operating conditions; and (ii) improved estimates of the 'tack' of fluid films under industrially relevant conditions of high deformation rate cavitational film-splitting. We will also develop an AFM-based Filament Stretching Rheometer to study high strain, high strainrate uniaxial extension of low viscosity fluids which have significance in the Process Industries and the LifeSciences.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.swan.ac.uk |