Complex Fluids Group

The Complex Fluids group develops fluid-based measurement systems which enable the characterization of complex materials.We focus on materials such as nanotubes, nanoparticles and advanced macromolecules that are under development to enable advanced applications in energy, sustainability, electronics and medicine.

As these materials are typically in the fluid state during their production or end-use, our measurement methods are broadly applicable. Our measurement systems include: development of micro and nanofluidic platforms for characterization of polymers and interfaces, development of methods to assess the kinetics of directed assembly processes that can be induced in nanoparticles, and a comprehensive suite of fluid based methods to process and characterize single-walled carbon nanotubes.

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Directed Assembly — Our goal is to develop a platform for in situ measurements of the directed assembly of complex solutions of nanoscale building blocks (NBB)s into functional materials and devices. These measurement …

Micro-rheometry — Our goal is to develop micro and nano-fluidic tools that measure rheological properties of quantity-limited complex fluids and that probe the regime where the fluid's structural length scales …

Nanotube Metrology — Our goal is to develop methods to produce well-characterized fractions of carbon nanotube suspensions with controlled parameters (length, type, charge, concentration and impurities) and to utilize …

Complex Fluids Seminar Series
November 2, 10:30 AM, 224/A-312:
Lloyd M. Davis, Center for Laser Applications, University of Tennessee Space Institute. "Fluorescence detection of single molecules near interfaces and in sub-micron fluidic channels."
A MEMs Parallel Plate Rheometer for Oscillatory Shear Micro Rheology Measurements has been developed and demonstrated to measure viscoelastic properties: viscosity and viscous and elastic moduli of fluids and gels. NIST is soliciting proposals from small companies for commercialization.
Paperwork: Buckypapers Clarify Electrical, Optical Behavior of Nanotubes
Using highly uniform samples of carbon nanotubes—sorted by centrifuge for length—materials scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have made some of the most precise measurements yet of the concentrations at which delicate mats of nanotubes become transparent, conducting sheets.
Microfluidic Device Tests Fluid Compatibility
To help industrial engineers improve their ability to systematically test new product formulations, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a microfluidic instrument that quickly measures interfacial tension.
Spin Control: New Technique Sorts Nanotubes by Length
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have reported a new technique to sort batches of carbon nanotubes by length using high-speed centrifuges . . .
Shear Ingenuity: Tweaking the Conductivity of Nanotube Composites
New measurements by scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have uncovered an intriguing wrinkle for manipulating the conductivity of carbon nanotube networks. For a given CNT concentration, the electrical properties of the composite can be tuned from being a conductor to a non-conductor simply by changing processing conditions—basically how fast the polymer flows.
Cells Selectively Absorb Short Nanotubes
DNA-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) shorter than about 200 nanometers readily enter into human lung cells and so may pose an increased risk to health, according to scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) . . .

Recommended Practice Guide for Nanotubes

Complex Fluids Group

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