ABSTRACT CTS-9523968 The role of interparticle interactions in shear thickening of colloidal suspensions will be investigated. Modeling work assumes that particle clustering is the main cause of the experimentally observed phenomenon. Other assumptions will be tested. Laboratory verification will be performed with three model colloidal suspensions: a model hard-sphere silica suspension, a charge-stabilized latex and polydispersivity on shear thickening transition will be analyzed. Microscopic probing of the flow microstructure and rheological measurements will be performed. The numerical simulations will include relevant colloidal and hydrodynamic inter-particle interactions. The results are expected to be used to design suspensions fro specific rheological performance criteria required systems with concentrated suspensions, such as in films, coatings, ink and ceramics. ***
