Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

Rheological behavior of biopolymer solutions and suspensions

Biopolymer Chemistry and Engineering group's rheology team is exploring traditional and novel solvent systems to dissolve various biopolymers and non-polymeric constituents. The solutions or suspensions are characterized by a comprehensive set of rheological tools (shear, capillary and extensional rheometers).

A graph describing shear viscosity as a function of shear rate — Picture: Wenwen Fang

A wide range of traditional and novel solvent systems are explored to dissolve various biopolymers and non-polymeric constituents. By employing a comprehensive set of rheological tools, including shear, capillary, and extensional rheometers, we aim to gain a thorough understanding of the flow and deformation characteristics of these complex materials. Beyond biopolymer solutions, our focus extends to exploring the rheological behavior of bio-colloids, such as nanocellulose and protein suspensions. We strive to unlock the potential of biopolymers and bio-colloids, contributing to the development of improved material properties and optimized processes for real-world applications.