Coupled dynamics of flow, microstructure, and conductivity in sheared suspensions. Issue 36 (17th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olsen, Tyler; Helal, Ahmed; McKinley, Gareth H.; Kamrin, Ken
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 12:Issue 36(2016)
• Page Start: 7688
• Page End: 7697
• Publication Date: 2016-08-17
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/c6sm01199c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : We propose a model for the evolution of the conductivity tensor for a flowing suspension of electrically conductive particles. Abstract : We propose a model for the evolution of the conductivity tensor for a flowing suspension of electrically conductive particles. We use discrete particle numerical simulations together with a continuum physical framework to construct an evolution law for the suspension microstructure during flow. This model is then coupled with a relationship between the microstructure and the electrical conductivity tensor. Certain parameters of the joint model are fit experimentally using rheo-electrical conductivity measurements of carbon black suspensions under flow over a range of shear rates. The model is applied to the case of steady shearing as well as time-varying conductivity of unsteady flow experiments. We find that the model prediction agrees closely with the measured experimental data in all cases.