Structure-property relationship of a soft colloidal glass in simple and mixed flows

Under specific conditions, rod-like cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) can assemble into structurally ordered soft glasses (SGs) with anisotropy that be controlled by applying shear. However, to achieve full structural control of SGs in real industrial processes, their response mixed shear and extensional kinematics needs determined. We hypothesise knowing the rheology CNC-based glass adopting a suitable constitutive model, it is possible predict structure-property relationship SG under flows. use an aqueous suspension 2 wt% CNC at 25 mM NaCl form composed network containing nematic domains. combine rheometry microfluidic experiments numerical simulations study flow properties shear, extension, conditions. Extensional investigated Optimised Shape Cross-slot Rheometer (OSCER), where exposed shear-free planar elongation. Mixed are benchmark cylinder device (MCD) flows past confined microchannel. The MCD displays velocity overshoot (negative wake) pronounced alignment downstream cylinder. Simulations using thixotropic elasto-visco-plastic (TEVP) model yield near quantitative agreement profiles simple capture fingerprint material. Our results provide comprehensive link between behaviour its mechanistic properties, laying foundations for development functional, built-to-order materials.