We would categorize our lab work as Experimental analysis
and Simulation studies.
Experimental Analysis:
We have been working on studying the flow behaviors of polymers in different kind of flow situations. Current investigations are in the field of Stagnation flow analysis. We use state-of-the-art Laser Doppler Velocimeter for measuring instantaneous velocities at any point in the measurement cell. This technique uses a Helium Argon laser. Two beams shifted in frequency cross each other at a point in the flow. The sample volume is in the order of nanometers, which introduces high spatial resolution. These analyses would further help us to understand the conditions that exist in the stagnation region. The applications of this study are mainly in the coatings industry. Most of the deformities in coatings of a polymer occur at the point where it first touches the substrate on which it is coated. Here is where the stagnation region is formed. Detailed study of this region can help us optimize the flow conditions to achieve minimum deformities. Using the birefringence technique we would analyze the stress profile in this flow.
The other study is based on using the cone and plate technique.
Simulation Studies:
Brownian dynamics forms the base of these studies. The
current project we are working on is to study the boundary effects on
ferrofluids.