| Author(s): |
Robert F. Berg; Michael R. Moldover; G. Zimmerli; M Yao; |
| Title: |
Shear Thinning in Xenon |
| Published: |
January 01, 2009 |
| Abstract: |
We measured shear thinning, a viscosity decrease ordinarily associated with complex liquids such as molten plastics or ketchup, near the critical point of xenon. The data span a wide range of dimensionless shear rate: 10–3 < γτ < 700, where γ is the shear rate and τ is the relaxation time of critical fluctuations. As predicted by theory, shear thinning occurred when γτ > 1. The measurements were conducted aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia to avoid the density stratification caused by Earth s gravity. |
| Citation: |
Science |
| Keywords: |
non-Newtonian;normal stress;rheology;viscoelasticity;viscometry |
| Research Areas: |
Condensed Matter Physics, Physical Properties, Chemical Engineering & Processing, Chemistry, Physics, Fluids, Thermodynamics, Chemical Physics, Critical Phenomena |
