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Published on: June 16, 2022
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Flow-induced gelation of microfiber suspensions
Antonio Perazzo1,2, Janine K Nunes1, Stefano Guido2,3
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.
Summary
Concentrated flexible microfiber suspensions exhibit shear thickening and gelation upon flow, forming an entangled, water-filled network. This unique property allows for injectable hydrogel formation without chemical additives.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Fluid Dynamics
- Rheology
Background:
- Flow behavior of fiber suspensions is well-studied for dilute, rigid fibers.
- Properties of concentrated, flexible fiber suspensions remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the flow properties of concentrated flexible microfiber suspensions.
- To explore the potential of these suspensions as novel gelled materials.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a microfluidic method to create uniform, concentrated suspensions of flexible microfibers.
- Employed rheological techniques to analyze the suspension's flow behavior.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated shear thickening and gelling behavior in flexible microfiber suspensions, a previously unreported phenomenon.
- Identified irreversible formation of topological fiber entanglements leading to an entangled, water-filled network.
- Confirmed the injectable nature of the suspension, extruding directly as a hydrogel without chemical treatment.
Conclusions:
- Flexible fiber suspensions can be engineered into flow-induced gelled materials, such as porous hydrogels.
- The resulting fiber hydrogel exhibits soft, viscoelastic, and yield-stress properties.
- This research opens avenues for new injectable biomaterials and soft matter applications.
