Love Wave Devices for Measuring the Onset of Gelation

Dr. Tony Collings, Principal Scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia

10.45am (refreshments) for 11am (seminar) 

The rate of change of viscosity in a gelling suspension offers in principle information on the structure of the gel which ultimately forms. Since viscometric techniques are frequently used to characterise gel structure, one must ensure that the technique does not itself influence this structure as a consequence of the velocity gradient which it employs. This seminar deals with the use of the Love acoustic wave device for measuring changing viscosity in a suspension undergoing gelation. The advantage of this device is that it generates only microscopic gradients and shears. Its suitability is demonstrated for gelation of gelatin and laponite suspensions.

Dr. Collings’ biography can be found here – http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/bridging/Tony_Collings_bio.pdf