(4dh) Advancing State-of-the-Art Fields With Innovative Rheological Methods

The field of rheology, which endeavors to understand the governing relationships behind the deformation and flow of matter, is a relatively mature one. My research has used this to advantage by developing and applying new experimental methods based on rheological principles to advance state-of-the-art fields of science. As a graduate student I invented a novel rheometer capable of making measurements in concentrated lignocellulosic biomass. Those measurements have improved our understanding of biomass rheology and have led to new ideas for processing biomass into renewable products. My postdoctoral work has focused on the behavior of fluid-fluid interfaces. The rheological properties of interfaces affect the behavior of materials like foams, emulsions and biological membranes. Areas of science that rely on interfacial structures, like synthetic biology, require a better understanding of how interfacial rheological properties influence membrane and bulk-material properties. Currently, the rheological properties of interfaces can be examined with a number of macrorheological methods. Micro-scale methods that are based on particle-tracking experiments have recently been developed, and very recently the use of optical tweezers has allowed for active microrheological measurements. I will present an overview of my recent and past research results in these fields and indicate areas with great opportunity for advancement.