Complex fluids' unique rheology stem from the mesostructure created by dissolved materials.  Confinement deforms the mesostructure, altering rheology.  In the Christopher Lab, we develop new methods to explore the effects of confinement on complex fluids using microfluidics and other techniques.

Measurement of interfacial rheology is difficult because bulk properties affect the measurment.  In the Christopher Lab, we are developing microfluidic techniques to form novel interfaces and measure interfacial rheology.  Microfluidics reduces bulk flow effects, increasing the sensitivity of the interfacial measurment.