Faculty : Roland Keunings
External faculty: Christian Bailly (MAPR)
Graduate students and post-doctorates :
Daniele Esposito, Chen-Yang Liu, Evelyne van Ruymbeke
Description :
The objective of the team is to address the following fundamental question: What is the signature of molecular architecture on the rheometrical and complex flow response of entangled polymeric liquids? To this end, we explore the relation between macromolecular structure and rheological behaviour in entangled systems by means of an integrated approach that combines experimental characterization, theoretical modelling, and numerical simulation. Research topics are:
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Molecular and rheometrical characterization of model systems
Extensive molecular characterization of model systems with a well-defined macromolecular structure (e.g. linear, comb, star and statistically branched), using a variety of complementary experimental methods. Detailed rheometrical characterization in the linear and non-linear regimes.
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Theoretical modelling
Evaluation and development of "tube-based" kinetic theory models, at various levels of description (full chain, multi-segment models, and macroscopic constitutive equations); structure-rheology: direct and inverse prediction.
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Numerical simulation
Implementation of theoretical models in rheometrical and complex flows,
using a combination of stochastic (micro) and grid-based (macro) techniques.
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Non-Newtonian fluid mechanics
Study of complex flow problems exhibiting non-linear dynamics (e.g. large-amplitude oscillatory shear and interpretation of related FFT rheometry data), using validated theoretical models and developed numerical techniques.
Links :
Research group homepage : http://www.mapr.ucl.ac.be/Fr/POLY/index.html
Roland Keunings' homepage : http://www.inma.ucl.ac.be/~rk/
Publications : here
Research grants :
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ARC “dynamics of entangled polymer melts” 2003-2008
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BASF grant "predicting the rheometrical behaviour of linear polymers" 2001-2005
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Socrates project "European postgraduate program in rheology" 2003-2006
