Using μ ² rheology to quantify rheological properties during repeated reversible phase transitions of soft matter

rheology. The utility of this technique is demonstrated by characterizing several phase transitions of a fibrous colloidal gel, hydrogenated castor oil. Gelation and degradation is induced by an osmotic pressure gradient created by contact with a glycerine based gelling agent and water, respectively. Several transitions are measured using a single sample. Nine transitions, five gel-sol and four sol-gel, are the maximum number of transitions characterized in a single sample. This microfluidic device and measurement technique is widely applicable and can be easily adapted to any system where solvent exchange is used to induce a change in material properties.