| Rheology is the study of the flow of matter. To determine what material is most suitable for an application involving material flow, an instrument called a rheometer can characterize material behavior under specific conditions. A variety of procedures can be used to determine the properties of a fluid when it is heated, stressed, or mixed with another fluid. This study uses a stress controlled rheometer to characterize the response of various fluids to conditions expected in their related processes. These responses are analyzed and results are organized into three manuscripts.;The first manuscript investigates the behavior of lithium ion battery anode components in a new method of anode production called emulsion templated directed assembly. This method uses carbon black nanoparticles to contain a silicon-rich oil phase inside of a polymer-rich water phase. The rheological properties of carbon black and reduced graphene oxide suspensions in water were recorded at a range of pH levels. These results were compared to suspensions including polymer binder. It was determined that the water phase of an anode produced by emulsion templating would not develop an interconnected network prior to the drying process, and the inclusion of a polymer binder has minimal effect on system viscosity.;The second manuscript determines the viscoelastic properties of graphite lithium ion battery anode slurries containing Timcal Super P or Cabot LITX-50, two common carbon black additives. Super P appears to create a slurry that is easier to manufacture with and less likely to suffer from cracks while drying than a slurry with LITX-50.;In the third manuscript, rheological characterization and viscosity measurements were made for several thermal accelerant solutions. Thermal accelerant is designed to deliver as a solution into the liver with sufficient viscosity to remain stationary at a target site during ablation. After the rheological characterization of a series of the thermal accelerant solutions, the sample designated "TA 50" appears to meet these criteria most effectively. |
