Rheology

Rheology is the study of dynamic fluid flow properties. This phenomenon can be critical to the design and engineering of solution formulations, and to the characterisation of both natural and synthetic polymeric excipients, many of which display solution thickening properties. The viscosity of a solution is a function of several factors, including the concentration, size, shape and substituent profile of dissolved viscosity modifying agents, pH, temperature, and the concentration and nature of dissolved indifferent salts. A variety of quantitative descriptions of solution viscosity are known, including relative, specific, reduced and intrinsic viscosities. The department is moderately well equipped with viscometers, including manual Ostwald capillary instruments, and computer-controlled rotary spindle and rotary cone/plate viscometers.