CME 513 - Rheology

This course aims to provide graduate-level students with an in-depth acquaintance with important topics in rheology. Topics include a discussion of the role of rheology in science and engineering, the definition of viscosity, the classification of various types of viscous fluids and flows, deformation and stress, relaxation functions, relaxation time, conversion among response functions, complex modulus, glass transition, time-temperature superposition rule, WLF equation; stress expression in polymers, tension, free-energy and distribution-function of subchains, the Rouse and Zimm models, derivation of stress and relaxation modulus, discussion on the relaxation behavior, the deGennes reptation model, and contour length fluctuation in polymer chains. In addition to the text, the student will be exposed to classic and current literature in the field.

3 credits

Grading Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)