Aggregation, Fragmentation, and the Nonlinear Dynamics of Electrorheological Fluids in Oscillatory Shear

We have conducted a time-resolved, two-dimensional light scattering study of the nonlinear dynamics of field-induced structures in an electrorheological fluid subjected to oscillatory shear. We have developed a theoretical description of the observed dynamics by considering the response of a fragmenting and aggregating particle chain to the prevailing hydrodynamic and electrostatic forces. This structural theory is then used to describe the nonlinear rheology of electrorheological fluids.