# Using Acoustic Perturbations to Dynamically Tune Shear Thickening in Colloidal Suspensions

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how acoustic perturbations via piezoelectric transducers can actively and dynamically control shear thickening in colloidal suspensions by disrupting force chains, offering a versatile method for flow regulation.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel active control method using acoustic perturbations to tune shear thickening in colloidal suspensions, adaptable to various flow geometries.

## Key findings

- Acoustic perturbations can dethicken colloidal suspensions by disrupting force chains.
- The technique is easily adaptable to different flow geometries.
- Active control of suspension viscosity is achievable through acoustic methods.

## Abstract

Colloidal suspensions in industrial processes often exhibit shear thickening that is difficult to control actively. Here, we use piezoelectric transducers to apply acoustic perturbations to dynamically tune the suspension viscosity in the shear-thickening regime. We attribute the mechanism of dethickening to the disruption of shear-induced force chains via perturbations that are large relative to the particle roughness scale. The ease with which this technique can be adapted to various flow geometries makes it a powerful tool for actively controlling suspension flow properties and investigating system dynamics.