Guillaume Degre

Rheology of complex fluids by particle image velocimetry in microchannels

We image the flow of complex fluids in microchannels of controlled geometry using tracers. The spatial resolution allows us to access quantitatively the bulk nonlinear rheology and wall slip, as we show on model polymer solutions. In perspective this strategy should prove useful for the study of heterogeneous flows of more complex fluids.

High shear rheology of shear banding fluids in microchannels

We characterize heterogeneous flows of a wormlike micelles solution in microchannels. Combining a pressure resistant microfabrication technology and a performant particle image velocimetry setup, we succeed in determining the nonlinear rheology of this fluid over 4 decades in shear rate and in particular more than 1 decade beyond the end of the stress plateau. We performed an independent measurement of the slip length with 1 μm resolution.