A Microfluidic Prototype for High-Frequency, Large Strain Oscillatory Flow Rheometry

We introduce a "Rheo-chip" prototypical rheometer which is able to characterise model fluids under oscillatory flow at frequencies f up to 80 Hz and nominal strain up to 350, with sample consumption of less than 1 mL, and with minimum inertial effects. Experiments carried out with deionized (DI) water demonstrate that the amplitude of the measured pressure drop ΔPM falls below the Newtonian prediction at f≥ 3 Hz. By introducing a simple model which assumes a linear dependence between the back force and the dead volume within the fluid chambers, the frequency response of both ΔPM and of the phase delay could be modeled more efficiently. Such effects need to be taken into account when using this type of technology for characterising the frequency response of non-Newtonian fluids.