AGGREGATION, FRAGMENTATION, AND THE NONLINEAR DYNAMICS OF ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL FLUIDS IN OSCILLATORY SHEAR

We have conducted a time-resolved, two-dimensional light scattering st udy of the nonlinear dynamics of field-induced structures in an electr orheological fluid subjected to oscillatory shear. We have developed a theoretical description of the observed dynamics by considering the r esponse of a fragmenting and aggregating particle chain to the prevail ing hydrodynamic and electrostatic forces. This structural theory is t hen used to describe the nonlinear theology of electrorheological flui ds.