Rheology in the Teaching Lab: Properties of Starch Suspensions

TL;DR

This paper presents a simple rheometer design for educational use that enables students to observe and measure the shear-thickening behavior of starch suspensions, linking complex fluid properties to everyday experiences.

Contribution

It introduces an accessible, inexpensive rheometer suitable for teaching labs to demonstrate key rheological phenomena like shear thickening.

Findings

Successful measurement of shear-thickening in starch suspensions

Demonstration of complex fluid properties with simple equipment

Educational tool linking theory and everyday fluids

Abstract

In everyday life we encounter many complex fluids, from shear-thinning paint and toothpaste to shear-thickening starch suspensions. The study of their properties offers an opportunity for students to relate sophisticated physical concepts to their everyday experience. Modern rheology uses expensive equipment impractical for the teaching laboratory. Here we describe a rudimentary rheometer suitable for student laboratories that can demonstrate and quantify discontinuous shear thickening, the most dramatic property of complex fluids, and use it to measure the properties of starch suspensions.