Shear electricity

The dynamics of block copolymers melts are as intriguing as their thermodynamics leading to complex linear viscoelastic behaviour and anisotropic diffusion processes. The non-linear viscoelastic behaviour is even richer, and the study of the effect of external fields (shear, electric. ..) on the alignment and orientation of ordered structures in block copolymer melts is still in its infancy. Furthermore, these fields can influence the thermodynamics of block copolymer melts, as recent work has shown that phase transition lines shift depending on the applied shear. The theoretical understanding of dynamic processes in block copolymer melts is much less advanced than that for thermodynamics, and promises to be a particularly active area of research in the coming years. 

Note that the tilt does not necessarily require a layer structure, and the same concept can be employed to explain the piezoelectricity of the cholesteric liquid crystal. In this case, the shear along the helical axis leads to a tilt of the director toward the helical axis and a polarization normal to the shear plane. This "shear electricity" was predicted by Prosh and experimentally was verified in case of cholesteric elastomers, where the molecules are weakly cross-linked and thus can sustain elastic strains. ... 

Elastomeric shield materials (ESM) have been developed as low density flexible ablators for low shear appHcations (49). General Electric s RTV 560 is a foamed silicone elastomer loaded with silicon dioxide [7631-86-9] and iron oxide [1317-61 -9] particles, which decomposes to a similar foam of Si02, SiC, and EeSiO. Silicone resins are relatively resistant to thermal decomposition and the silicon dioxide forms a viscous Hquid when molten (50) (see... 

The 2eta potential (Fig. 8) is essentially the potential that can be measured at the surface of shear that forms if the sohd was to be moved relative to the surrounding ionic medium. Techniques for the measurement of the 2eta potentials of particles of various si2es are collectively known as electrokinetic potential measurement methods and include microelectrophoresis, streaming potential, sedimentation potential, and electro osmosis (19). A numerical value for 2eta potential from microelectrophoresis can be obtained to a first approximation from equation 2, where Tf = viscosity of the liquid, e = dielectric constant of the medium within the electrical double layer, = electrophoretic velocity, and E = electric field. 

Fig. 8. Electrical double layer of a sohd particle and placement of the plane of shear and 2eta potential. = Wall potential, = Stern potential (potential at the plane formed by joining the centers of ions of closest approach to the sohd wall), ] = zeta potential (potential at the shearing surface or plane when the particle and surrounding Hquid move against one another). The particle and surrounding ionic medium satisfy the principle of electroneutrafity.

The selective redection of chiral nematic Hquid crystals has also been used to develop sensors for pressure, radiation (especially infrared), wind shear over surfaces, stmctural fatigue, and foreign chemical vapor (48). Other types of Hquid crystals have been used to make sensors to measure both electric and magnetic fields. 

Because the fibers generally are anisotropic, they tend to be deposited on the wire in layers under shear. There is Htde tendency for fibers to be oriented in an out-of-plane direction, except for small undulations where one fiber crosses or passes beneath another. The layered stmcture results in the different properties measured in the thickness direction as compared to those measured in the in-plane direction. The orthotropic behavior of paper is observed in most paper properties and especially in the electrical and mechanical properties. 

When an electric field is appHed to an ER fluid, it responds by forming fibrous or chain stmctures parallel to the appHed field. These stmctures greatly increase the viscosity of the fluid, by a factor of 10 in some cases. At low shear stress the material behaves like a soHd. The material has a yield stress, above which it will flow, but with a high viscosity. The force necessary to shear the fluid is proportional to the square of the electric field (116). 

A parameter used to characterize ER fluids is the Mason number, Af, which describes the ratio of viscous to electrical forces, and is given by equation 14, where S is the solvent dielectric constant T q, the solvent viscosity 7, the strain or shear rate P, the effective polarizabiUty of the particles and E, the electric field (117). 

The Ferranti-Shidey viscometer was the first commercial general-purpose cone—plate viscometer many of the instmments stiU remain in use in the 1990s. Viscosities of 20 to 3 x 10 mPa-s can be measured over a shear rate range of 1.8-18, 000 and at up to 200°C with special ceramic cones. Its features include accurate temperature measurement and good temperature control (thermocouples are embedded in the water-jacketed plate), electrical sensing of cone—plate contact, and a means of adjusting and locking the position of the cone and the plate in such a way that these two just touch. Many of the instmments have been interfaced with computers or microprocessors. 

One potential difficulty with CF-EF is the electrodeposition of the particles at the electrode away from the filtration medium. This phenomenon, if allowed to persist, will result in performance decay of CF-EF with respect to maintenance of the electric field. Several approaches such as momentaiy reverses in polarity, protection of the electrode with a porous membrane or filter medium, and/or utilization of a high fluid shear rate can minimize electrodeposition. 

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