Relaxation dynamics in suspensions of ferromagnetic particles

We have studied the relaxation dynamics of a dilute assembly of ferromagnetic particles in suspension. A formalism based on the Smoluchowski equation, describing the evolution of the probability density for the directions of the magnetic moment and of the axis of easy magnetization of the particles, has been developed. We compute the rotational viscosity from a Green-Kubo formula and give an expression for the relaxation time of the particles which comes from the dynamic equations of the correlation functions. Concerning the relaxation time for the particles, our results agree quite well with experiments performed on different samples of ferromagnetic particles for which the magnetic energy, associated with the interaction between the magnetic moments and the external field, or the energy of anisotropy plays a dominant role.

Competing tunneling and capacitive paths in Co-ZrO2 granular thin films

The ac electrical response is studied in thin films composed of well-defined nanometric Co particles embedded in an insulating ZrO2 matrix which tends to coat them, preventing the formation of aggregates. In the dielectric regime, ac transport originates from the competition between interparticle capacitive Cp and tunneling Rt channels, the latter being thermally assisted. This competition yields an absorption phenomenon at a characteristic frequency 1/(RtCp), which is observed in the range 1010 000 Hz. In this way, the effective ac properties mimic the universal response of disordered dielectric materials. Temperature and frequency determine the complexity and nature of the ac electrical paths, which have been successfully modeled by an Rt-Cp network.

Alignment of hexatic langmuir monolayers under shear

We have studied the structural changes that fatty acid monolayers in the Ov phase undergo when a simple shear flow is imposed. A strong coupling is revealed by the changes in domain structure that are observable using Brewster angle microscopy, suggesting the possibility of shear alignment. The dependence of the alignment on the molecular polar tilt proves that the mechanism is different than in nematic liquid crystals. We argue that the degenerate lattice symmetry lines of the underlying pseudohexagonal lattice align in the flow direction, and we explain the observed alignment angle using geometrical arguments.

Backflow-induced asymmetric collapse of disclination lines in liquid crystals

We present experiments where opposed pairs of planar parallel disclination lines of topological strength s=±1 move due to their mutual attraction. Our measurements show that their motion is clearly asymmetric, with +1 defects moving up to twice as fast as -1 ones. This is a clear indication of backflow, given the intrinsic isotropic elasticity of our system. A phenomenological model is able to account for the experimental observations by renormalizing the orientational diffusivity estimated from the velocity of each defect.

Dewaterability of sewage sludge by ultrasonic, thermal and chemical treatments

Sludges resulting from wastewater treatment processes have a characteristically high water content, which complicates handling operations such as pumping, transport and disposal. To enhance the dewatering of secondary sludge, the effect of ultrasound waves, thermal treatment and chemical conditioning with NaOH have been studied. Two features of treated sludges were examined: their rheological behavior and their dewaterability. The rheological tests consisted of recording shear stress when the shear rate increases and decreases continuously and linearly with time, and when it increases and decreases in steps. Steady-state viscosity and thixotropy were obtained from the rheological tests, and both decreased significantly in all cases with increased treatment intensity. Centrifugation of ultrasonicated and thermally treated sludges allowed the total solid content to be increased by approximately 16.2% and 17.6%, respectively. These dewatered sludges had a lower viscosity and thixotropy than the untreated sludge. In contrast, alkali conditioning barely allowed the sludge to be dewatered by centrifugation, despite decreasing its viscosity and thixotropy.

Polydispersity index from linear viscoelastic data: Unimodal and bimodal linear polymer melts

This article describes a method for determining the polydispersity index Ip2=Mz/Mw of the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of linear polymeric materials from linear viscoelastic data. The method uses the Mellin transform of the relaxation modulus of a simple molecular rheological model. One of the main features of this technique is that it enables interesting MWD information to be obtained directly from dynamic shear experiments. It is not necessary to achieve the relaxation spectrum, so the ill-posed problem is avoided. Furthermore, a determinate shape of the continuous MWD does not have to be assumed in order to obtain the polydispersity index. The technique has been developed to deal with entangled linear polymers, whatever the form of the MWD is. The rheological information required to obtain the polydispersity index is the storage G′(ω) and loss G″(ω) moduli, extending from the terminal zone to the plateau region. The method provides a good agreement between the proposed theoretical approach and the experimental polydispersity indices of several linear polymers for a wide range of average molecular weights and polydispersity indices. It is also applicable to binary blends.

Shear thinning and thixotropy of HMHEC and HEC water solutions

Steady state viscosity and thixotropy of hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose HMHEC and nonassociative cellulose water solutions are studied. Although all the samples are shear thinning, only the HMHEC is thixotropic, since the migration of hydrophobes to micelles is controlled by diffusion. The Cross model fits steady state curves. The Mewis model, a phenomenological model that proposes that the rate of change of viscosity when the shear rate is suddenly changed is related to the difference between the steady state and current values of viscosity raised to an exponent, fits structure construction experiments when the exponent, n, is estimated to be around 2. The Newtonian assumption used by Mewis cannot be used here, however. This seems to be related to the fact that the thickening is due to bridged micelle formation, which is a slow process, and also to topological constraints and entanglements, which are rapid processes. The kinetic parameter was redefined to kn in order to make it independent of initial conditions. So, kn depends only on how the shear affects the structure. kn reaches a plateau at shear rates too low to produce structure destruction and decreases at higher shear rates.

Asymmetric giant magnetoresistance in Co10Cu90 magnetic granular alloys

We have observed a type of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in magnetic granular Co10Cu90 alloys. The asymmetric GMR depends strongly on the size of magnetic Co particles, which exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at given measured temperature. The asymmetric GMR points to a metastable state that develops when the sample is field-cooled, which is lost after recycling. We propose that high-field cooling produces more effective parallel alignment of small unblocked Co particle moments and interfacial magnetizations, which contributes to the further decrease of the resistance in comparison with the samples zero-field-cooled, and then applied to the same field.

Short-time dynamics of colloidal suspensions in confined geometries

We analyze the short-time dynamical behavior of a colloidal suspension in a confined geometry. We analyze the relevant dynamical response of the solvent, and derive the temporal behavior of the velocity autocorrelation function, which exhibits an asymptotic negative algebraic decay. We are able to compare quantitatively with theoretical expressions, and analyze the effects of confinement on the diffusive behavior of the suspension.

Avaliação reológica e físico-química da gelificação térmica do surimi de jundiá

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características reológicas e físico-químicas da gelificação térmica do surimi de jundiá (Rhamdia quelen). Utilizaram-se quatro tratamentos térmicos, três estágios duplos - pré-aquecimentos a 60ºC durante 30, 45 e 60 min, seguidos de aquecimento a 90ºC por 15 min, e um único aquecimento direto a 90ºC por 15 min - e três formulações: duas com inibidores protéicos - soroalbumina bovina + alfa2-macroglobulina e clara de ovo - e uma sem inibidores. Amostras com inibidores protéicos e aquecimento direto alcançaram melhor gelificação, pelo incremento no módulo de elasticidade e decréscimo no ângulo de fase. Os géis pré-aquecidos apresentaram grande oscilação dos parâmetros viscoelásticos, o que comprometeu a formação da rede protéica tridimensional, formada durante a gelificação térmica do surimi. A concentração de peptídeos solúveis não sofreu alteração significativa, mesmo durante os estágios duplos, o que indica a ausência de proteólise, além de mostrar a proteção pelosinibidores àmatriz protéica.

Controlling anomalous stresses in soft field-responsive systems

We report a phenomenon occurring in field-responsive suspensions: shear-induced anomalous stresses. Competition between a rotating field and a shear flow originates a multiplicity of anomalous stress behaviors in suspensions of bound dimers constituted by induced dipoles. The great variety of stress regimes includes nonmonotonic behaviors, multiresonances, negative viscosity effect, and blockades. The reversibility of the transitions between the different regimes and the self-similarity of the stresses make this phenomenon controllable and therefore applicable to modify macroscopic properties of soft condensed matter phases.

Algebraic decay of velocity fluctuations near a wall

Computer simulations of the dynamics of a colloidal particle suspended in a fluid confined by an interface show that the asymptotic decay of the velocity correlation functions is algebraic. The exponents of the long-time tails depend on the direction of motion of the particle relative to the surface, as well as on the specific nature of the boundary conditions. In particular, we find that for the angular velocity correlation function, the decay in the presence of a slip surface is faster than the one corresponding to a stick one. An intuitive picture is introduced to explain the various long-time tails, and the simulations are compared with theoretical expressions where available.

Produção e comportamento reológico de exopolissacarídeos sintetizados por rizóbios isolados de guandu

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção e o comportamento reológico de exopolissacarídeos (EPS) produzidos por rizóbios isolados de nódulos de guandu [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], e a similaridade desses isolados, pela técnica de análise de restrição do DNA ribossomal amplificado. As bactérias foram cultivadas em meio YM líquido e os EPS foram obtidos por precipitação com etanol gelado a partir do caldo de cultivo. Em seguida, eles foram recuperados por centrifugação, secados a vácuo, pesados e ressuspensos em água para avaliações reológicas. Os três isolados avaliados apresentaram diferenças na produção e na eficiência relativa da produção de EPS, com destaque para o isolado 8.1c. Os EPS demonstraram comportamento não newtoniano e pseudoplástico, porém também apresentaram diferenças na viscosidade aparente em uma mesma taxa de cisalhamento. Na taxa de cisalhamento de 1 s-1, os três isolados foram diferentes, enquanto na taxa de cisalhamento de 40 s-1, os isolados 53.5 e 30.6a2 foram iguais e diferiram do isolado 8.1c. A similaridade dos isolados foi condizente com os resultados de reologia dos EPS, em que bactérias que sintetizaram EPS com menor viscosidade aparente apresentaram maior similaridade

Espalhamento e secagem de filme de amido-glicerol-fibra preparado por "tape-casting"

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar processos de espalhamento e secagem de filme de amido-glicerol-fibras de celulose, preparado por "tape-casting". O espalhamento da suspensão foi avaliado a 50, 150 e 250 cm min-1, seguido de secagem em estufa com circulação forçada de ar, a 40 ou 70ºC; avaliou-se também o espalhamento da suspensão a 150 cm min-1, seguido da secagem do filme sobre suporte de "tape-casting" a 22ºC e 60% de umidade relativa, com velocidades do ar de 4, 6 e 8 m s-1 no túnel de secagem. Ensaios reológicos mostraram que o espalhamento das suspensões a temperaturas inferiores a 50ºC apresentou módulo de elasticidade superior ao módulo viscoso, em todo o espectro de frequências de oscilação. As microscopias mostraram filmes secos a 40 e 70ºC sem defeitos de formação, e cujas propriedades mecânicas não diferiam. A velocidade de espalhamento e a do ar não modificam o tempo de secagem nem as propriedades dos filmes. O tempo de secagem pode ser reduzido para aproximadamente duas horas, o que é importante para a produção dos filmes em larga escala.

Efeito da temperatura e taxa de cisalhamento nas propriedades de escoamento da polpa de Cupuaçu (T. grandiflorum Schum) integral

O comportamento reológico da polpa de cupuaçu integral foi determinado na faixa de temperatura de 10 a 60ºC. Os efeitos da temperatura e da taxa de deformação foram avaliados por meio de testes em cisalhamento estacionário. As análises reológicas foram conduzidas num reômetro Thermo Haake RheoStress 1. Os reogramas foram descritos pelos modelos reológicos de Ostwald-de-Waelle e o de Herschel-Bulkley. As curvas de escoamento mais bem ajustadas pelo modelo de Ostwald-de-Waelle. O produto apresentou comportamento pseudoplástico, e o índice de comportamento de fluxo (n) decresceu com o aumento da temperatura. O efeito da temperatura sobre a viscosidade aparente foi descrita por uma equação tipo Arrhenius e discutida em termos de energia de ativação. Essa energia aumentou com o aumento da taxa de deformação, sendo obtidos valores na faixa de 1 a 2 kcal/gmol.