Developing a mechanically driven interfacial shear rheometer

We prototyped a novel instrument, a motorized interfacial shear rheometer (ISR) to perform experiments on magnetic particle-laden interfaces and measure their viscoelastic properties. Previous ISR designs are difficult to adapt for measurements on magnetic materials due to their reliance on magnetic fields to manipulate the probe. Our ISR relies on relatively sensitive monofilaments, measuring 0.1 mm in diameter, which remain parallel to each other. A handmade airflow shield and brass fittings provided the best results for our probe. After further testing and calibration, our mechanically driven ISR will let us use magnetic fields to manipulate magnetic particles at interfaces while measuring rheology. Our design opens a way to measure the mechanical consequences of varying interparticle forces and assembled structures in real time.