arXiv subjects

Jonghyun Hwang

Publications and source records attributed to Jonghyun Hwang.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Understanding the Theory--Experiment Discrepancy in Pressure Drop of Dilute Polymer Solutions in Channel Flows

For decades researchers have experimentally observed that the flow of dilute viscoelastic polymer solutions through contraction or contraction--expansion channels yields results at odds with theory and simulations. In particular, the experimentally reported pressure drops are larger than those of generalized Newtonian reference fluids with the same shear viscosity, while constitutive models, such as Oldroyd-B and FENE-P, predict smaller pressure drops under conditions of low Reynolds numbers and stable flow at small Weissenberg ($Wi$) or Deborah ($De$) numbers. This apparent contradiction between experiments and theory has been a long-standing puzzle in the field. Here, we characterize the properties of dilute viscoelastic polymer solutions and employ two distinct types of pressure-sensing systems, conventional recessed pressure taps and flush-mounted diaphragm sensors, to systematically measure pressure drops across channels of different geometrical configurations. These measurements yield qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions across all geometries if the largest relaxation time is adopted for the analysis of the flow. Our results indicate that the apparent discrepancies mentioned above can be attributed to improper interpretation of the measurements and to mismatches between experimental conditions and assumptions made in the theoretical and numerical studies, which include hole pressure effects, the choice of relaxation time of the fluid, and the presence of experimental flow instabilities. For quantitative improvements, our results suggest the use of continuum-level constitutive models containing more realistic microscopic features of polymer solutions.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2026

Design of model Boger fluids with systematically controlled viscoelastic properties

The subject of viscoelastic flow phenomena is crucial to many areas of engineering and the physical sciences. Although much of our understanding of viscoelastic flow features stems from carefully designed experiments, preparation of model viscoelastic fluids remains a challenge; for example, fabricating a series of fluids with different fluid shear moduli $G_0$, but with an identical relaxation time $τ$, is nontrivial. In this work, we harness the non-ideality of nearly constant-viscosity elastic fluids, commonly known as `Boger fluids', made with polyisobutylene, to develop an experimental methodology that produces a set of fluids with desired viscoelastic properties, specifically, $G_0$, $τ$, and the first normal stress difference coefficient $ψ_1$. Through a linear algebraic relation between the rheological properties of interest ($G_0$, $τ$, $ψ_1$) and the fluid compositions in terms of polymer concentration $c$, molecular weight $M_w$, and solvent viscosity $η_s$, we developed a `design equation' that takes $G_0$, $τ$, $ψ_1$ as inputs and calculates values for $c$, $M_w$, $η_s$ as outputs. Using this method, fabrication of dilute viscoelastic fluids whose rheological properties are \textit{a priori} known can be achieved.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2025

Revealing Actual Viscoelastic Relaxation Times in Capillary Breakup

We use experiments and theory to elucidate the size effect in capillary breakup rheometry, where pre-stretching in the visco-capillary stage causes the apparent relaxation time to be consistently smaller than the actual value. We propose a method accounting for both the experimental size and the finite extensibility of polymers to extract the actual relaxation time. A phase diagram characterizes the expected measurement variability and delineates scaling law conditions. The results refine capillary breakup rheometry for viscoelastic fluids and advance the understanding of breakup dynamics across scales.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2025

Transient rod-climbing in an Oldroyd-B fluid

The Weissenberg effect, or rod-climbing phenomenon, occurs in non-Newtonian fluids where the fluid interface ascends along a rotating rod. Despite its prominence, theoretical insights into this phenomenon remain limited. In earlier work, Joseph \& Fosdick (\emph{Arch. Rat. Mech. Anal.}, vol. 49, 1973, pp. 321--380) employed domain perturbation methods for second-order fluids to determine the equilibrium interface height by expanding solutions based on the rotation speed. In this work, we investigate the time-dependent interface height through asymptotic analysis with dimensionless variables and equations using the Oldroyd-B model. We begin by neglecting surface tension and inertia to focus on the interaction between gravity and viscoelasticity. In the small-deformation scenario, the governing equations indicate the presence of a boundary layer in time, where the interface rises rapidly over a short time scale before gradually approaching a steady state. By employing a stretched time variable, we derive the transient velocity field and corresponding interface profile on this short time scale and recover the steady-state profile on a longer time scale. Subsequently, we reintroduce small but finite inertial effects to investigate their interplay with viscoelasticity and propose a criterion for determining the conditions under which rod-climbing occurs.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2025

Surface Furrowing Instability in Everting Soft Solids

We report a surface instability observed during the extrusion of extremely soft elastic solids in confined geometries. Due to their unique rheological properties, these soft solids can migrate through narrow gaps by continuously everting the bulk material. The extrusion front spontaneously buckles in the direction transverse to the flow, resulting in a furrow-like morphology that deepens over time. We characterize the distinct features of this instability using experiments and theory and contrast the results with known elastic surface instabilities. Our study may provide insights into various processes involving the extrusion-like deformations of soft solids, including biomaterials.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2022

Swelling, Softening and Elastocapillary Adhesion of Cooked Pasta

The diverse chemical and physical reactions encountered during cooking connect us to science every day. Here, we theoretically and experimentally investigate the swelling and softening of pasta due to liquid imbibition, as well as the elastic deformation and adhesion of pasta due to capillary force. As water diffuses into the pasta during cooking, it softens gradually from the outside inward as starch swells. The softening follows three sequential regimes: Regime I shows a slow decrease of modulus with cooking time; Regime II, the glassy to rubbery transition region, is characterized by very fast, several orders of magnitude drop in modulus; and regime III, the rubbery region, has an asymptotic modulus about four orders of magnitude lower than the raw pasta. We present experiments and theory to capture these regimes and relate them to the heterogeneous microstructure changes associated with swelling. Interestingly, we observe a modulus drop of two orders of magnitude within the range of 'al dente' cooking duration, and we find the modulus to be extremely sensitive to the amount of salt added to the boiling water. While most chefs can gauge the pasta by tasting its texture, our proposed experiment, which only requires a measurement with a ruler, can precisely provide an optimal cooking time finely tuned for various kinds of pasta shapes.

physics.pop-ph↗