Rayleigh streaming phenomena at the physical origin of cellulose nanocrystals orientations during combined ultrasound and ultrafiltration processes

micro-PIV measurements revealed the formation of Rayleigh acoustic streaming in the CNCs suspension, for the same threshold in transmembrane pressure and same US conditions, thereby highlighting the origin of the orthotropic organization. We propose that this threshold allows for sufficient accumulation of CNCs near the membrane surface, thus enabling confined flow, to generate acoustic streaming. This work highlights the interplay between acoustic streaming and orientations of CNC particles, thereby advancing understanding of the manipulation of liquid crystal-like suspensions in microfluidic applications.