Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Research in the Division of Applied Rheology and Polymer Processing aims at the development of methodologies with which the processing problems of non-Newtonian liquids can be addressed in a rational and science-based way. Concentrated colloidal suspensions and polymeric fluids constitute the two major classes of rheologically complex fluids under consideration. Recently, research has also been extended from 3D bulk behaviour to 2D interfacial dynamics. Characteristic for the research is development and use of advanced experimental approaches which have resulted in unique data sets, characterization procedures, scaling relations and morphological insight. These are also systematically being used by other research teams for the development and evaluation of new theories and simulation methods. The Division of Applied Rheology and Polymer Processing has evolved into one of the best equipped academic laboratories worldwide, both from a rheological as well as from a rheo-optical point of view. The research group consists of approximately 25 researchers (professors, postdocs and PhD students). In addition there are 10 chemical engineering master thesis students in the laboratory.