Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
Published on: August 2, 2012
Anisotropic cooperative structural rearrangements in sheared supercooled liquids
Akira Furukawa1, Kang Kim, Shinji Saito
1Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
Abstract:
A supercooled liquid generally exhibits marked shear-thinning behavior, but its detailed mechanism remains elusive. Here we study the dynamics of structural rearrangements in supercooled liquids under shear, using two-dimensional (2D) molecular dynamics simulation. To elucidate the relationship between heterogeneous dynamics and the rheological behavior, we extend the four-point correlation function, which has been used for analyzing "dynamic heterogenity" in a quiescent condition, to a system under steady shear. In the Newtonian regime, the rearrangement dynamics is strongly heterogeneous in space, but remains isotropic. Contrary to this, in the non-Newtonian regime, where marked shear-thinning behavior appears, we find a novel dynamic effect: The mobile region tends to form anisotropic "fluidized bands." This finding suggests a link between nonlinear rheology and inhomogeneization of flow.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Structures of Solids
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing
[3,3] Sigmatropic Rearrangement of 1,5-Dienes: Cope Rearrangement
Molecular and Ionic Solids
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
Thermal Sigmatropic Reactions: Overview
Sigmatropic shifts are classified based on an order term [i, j ], where i and j indicate the number of atoms across which each end of the σ bond migrates. Below are examples of a [3,3] sigmatropic shift in 1,5-hexadiene, referred to as...
Shearing Strain

