Polymer Effects on Turbulence in Flowing Soap Films Studied with Film Interference Flow Imaging Method

• HIDEMA Ruri

  Soft & Wet matter Engineering Laboratory (SWEL), Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University

• USHIKI Hideharu

  Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Division of Ecosciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

• FURUKAWA Hidemitsu

  Soft & Wet matter Engineering Laboratory (SWEL), Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University

Abstract

Thin liquid layer exists between bone and bone in joint of human body, and also, thin tear film covers cornea. These thin liquid layers contain biopolymer such as hyaluronic acid and mucin. These thin liquids make it possible that smooth movement of the joints and smooth blinks. In this research, effects of polymer in thin liquid layer are studied by using flowing soap films. Soap films consist of about 4 µm thickness water layer inside and surfactant mono-layer in the surface. Interference patterns of the soap films are affected by the thickness of the water layer. Thus the interference pattern reflects the behavior of the water layer. In this study, turbulence was made in flowing soap films, the effects of long flexible polymer Polyethylene oxide (PEO, M_w=4x10⁶) to the turbulence was observed by the interference pattern. This technique is proposed as Film Interference Flow Imaging method (FIFI). Thickness and velocity information of the turbulence were observed by FIFI. Inner structure of the soap solution containing PEO was observed by Scanning Microscopic Light Scattering (SMILS) which is a light scattering system specialized for analyzing microscopic structures. For some applications, investigations of the polymer effects in thin liquid layer are useful for the development of polymer drag for joint pain or dry eyes.

Journal

• Journal of Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering

  Journal of Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering 5 (12), 838-848, 2011

  The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers

Keywords

• Thin Liquid Layer
• Complex Fluid
• Interference Pattern
• Image Analysis
• Light Scattering

Details

• CRID: 1390282680242524288
• NII Article ID: 130002072393
• DOI: 10.1299/jmmp.5.838
• ISSN: 18809871
• Web Site: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jmmp/5/12/5_12_838/_pdf
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
  • KAKEN
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed