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Rice University
George R. Brown School of Engineering
Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Presents
Interfacial Rheology of Protein and Particle Laden Interfaces
ABSTRACT: Interfacial rheology is increasingly being found to play an important role in a number of processes including bulk emulsion rheology,
porous flows, droplet dynamics, and more. Only in the last 10 years have interfacial rheometers been developed that allow the robust
characterization of interfacial deformation response. However, deeper understandings of the mechanisms that dictate interfacial rheology have been
lacking. To overcome this problem, a double wall ring interfacial rheometer has been modified to allow interfacial visualization. Using this tool, we
have characterized protein and particle laden interfaces to better understand the role interfaces play in bulk processes.
Dr. Gordon
Christopher
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical
Engineering
Texas Tech University
Thursday, April 9th, 2015
Herzstein Hall 212– 2:30 p.m.
The study of protein and particle laden interfaces has increased significantly due to the prevalent use of particle stabilized Pickering Emulsions and
importance of protein based medicine. Recent studies of biological solutions have noted yield, high elasticity, and rheopexy at extremely low
concentrations of biological molecules. These behaviors have been attributed to bulk interactions. We have characterized the interfacial rheology and
bulk rheology of a number of biological solutions and shown that these behaviors are entirely due to interfacial rheology’s effect on bulk
measurements. Pickering emulsion’s bulk properties are highly dependent on interfacial rheology, which is a function of particle laden interfaces’
microstructure determined by particle properties. We have studied particle laden interface systems on air/water interfaces, providing simultaneous
measurements of microstructure and rheology. These unique measurements have allowed us to understand the physical mechanisms behind
observed rheological behaviors, impacting our ability to control the bulk behavior of Pickering emulsions.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dr. Gordon Christopher has been an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech
University since 2011. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering (2002) and a BA in Film (2003) from Columbia University. He attended Carnegie
Mellon and graduated with a PhD in Mechanical engineering and a MS in Chemical Engineering in 2008. Afterwards, he spent 2 years in the
Polymers Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology as a NRC Postdoc. His research focuses on the development on study of
complex fluids and interfaces rheology and flows through the development of novel techniques, including microfluidics, interfacial rheology, and bulk
rheology.
SEMINAR SPONSOR BY CHEVRON