Shear thickening in colloidal dispersions

Abstract

The popular interest in cornstarch and water mixtures known as "oobleck" after the complex fluid in one of Dr. Seuss's classic children's books arises from their transition from fluid-like to solid-like behavior when stressed. The viscous liquid that emerges from a roughly 2-to-1 (by volume) combination of starch to water can be poured into one's hand. When squeezed, the liquid morphs into a doughy paste that can be formed into shapes, only to "melt" into a puddle when the applied stress is relieved. Internet videos show people running across a large pool of the stuff, only to sink once they stop in place, and "monsters" that grow out of the mixture when it's acoustically vibrated (for an example, see the online version of this article).

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