Current Research
The research work of my group can be classified into three
main areas. The first involving mutliphase flows focuses on the flow behaviour of suspensions
containing non-colloidal particles. Recent experiments have uncovered a curious phenomenon of
particle segregation into regions of high and low particle concentration in a neutrally buoyant
suspension undergoing shear in the presence of a free surface. Using a combination of experiments
and computer simulations, we are currently studying the influence of the free surface on the
particle flow in suspensions.
The second area deals with the mechanism of film formation
in paints and coatings. A major factor promoting the recent investigations in this subject is the
need to substitute the widely used coating formulations containing volatile organic compounds
with environment friendly water based dispersions. Here, we would like to know the effect of
various parameters such as inter-particle potentials, pigment charateristics, polymer particle size,
polymer modulus and composition on the film's microstructure and its final mechanical properties.
In collaboration with the faculty of electrical engineering
and materials science departments, we have recently initiated projects in the area of microfluidics.
Here, we are interested in understanding at a fundamental level, the flow behaviour of liquids
confined to very small length scales.
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Selected
Publications
- M. Tirumkudulu, W. B. Russel and T.J. Huang,
“Measuring the `tack' of waterborne adhesives”, J. Rheol.,47(6), (2003)
- M. Tirumkudulu, W. B. Russel and T.J. Huang,
“On the measurement of `tack' of adhesives”, Phys. Fluids,15(6), 1588-1605, (2003)
- M. Tirumkudulu and A. Acrivos, “Coating flows
within a rotating horizontal cylinder: Lubrication analysis, numerical computations,
and experimental measurements”, Phys. Fluids,13(1), 14-19, (2001)
- M. Tirumkudulu, A. Mileo and A. Acrivos,
“Particle segregation in monodisperse sheared suspensions in a partialy filled
rotating horizontal cylinder”, Phys. Fluids, 12(6), 1615-1618, (2000)
- M. Tirumkudulu, A. Tripathi and A. Acrivos,
“Particle segregation in monodisperse sheared suspensions”, Phys. Fluids, 11(3), 507-509, (1999)
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