New Viscometer Has Edge With Microfluidic Co-flow Chip Technology

Phil Black - PII Editor 08/08/2016

130 1 minute read

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Shear viscosity is commonly recognised as the most widely characterised rheological property across a wide range of fluids and the new Fluidicam RHEO viscometer developed by Formulaction represents a new standard of fully automated rheology measurement in this field. Available through sole UK distributors FULLBROOK SYSTEMS, the Fluidicam Rheo uses the well-defined microfluidic co-flow principle for measuring viscosity.

Compared to conventional rotational rheometers the Fluidicam is capable of running defined shear sweeps up to shear rates as high as 105sec-1 with low viscosity fluids 0.1cP up to 200,000cP Sample volumes are as small as <500µl which is ideal, especially when measuring blood, proteins and other biofluids. This low viscosity window is especially challenging for conventional rheometers where low torque, turbulent flow, surface tension etc. can all have an effect on the reading.

The microfluidic chip dimensions in the Fluidicam ensure extreme accuracy and repeatability of 1%. Most importantly, this level of accuracy and repeatability is guaranteed on liquids with high shear rates up to 105s-1.

The commercially available Fluidicam RHEO instrument provides access to shear rates and temperature sweeps in a single click without the need for calibration, geometries or sensors in the chip and results in cost-effective and faster rheology measurement.

Typical applications for the Fluidicam RHEO instrument will be in pharmaceuticals (proteins, vaccines, eye-drops etc.) petrochemicals, inkjet inks, food analysis, personal care and fine chemistry.