Archive · 2 Jun 2025
Scientists Study How Pressure Affects Soft Material Flow
Imagine toothpaste like a solid until you squeeze.
Scientists call this 'switch yielding'.
They studied materials like toothpaste, using special machines to measure how they react to pressure.
They found two simple rules: the loss modulus spike depends on the loss to storage modulus ratio, and the strain at which materials yield depends on the flow stress, storage modulus, and the ratio.
This helps engineers design products like toothpaste and ketchup bottles to flow just right, simplifying what was once a complicated problem.
Scientists are studying the pressure needed to squeeze out toothpaste and similar materials.
The 'shift' in the material is called switch yielding.
Researchers used a precision rheometer to study the storage and loss modulus of soft materials.
The study revealed two unexpected rules about switch yielding.
The findings can help engineers fine-tune the flow of materials in products.
- Who
- Researchers from the U.S. conducted the study.
- What
- A new study examined switch yielding in soft materials to understand how pressure affects their flow.
- When
- Published May 23 in Physical Review Letters.
- Where
- The study was conducted in the U.S.
- Why
- To understand switch yielding in soft materials like toothpaste to fine-tune how easily they flow.
- Toothpaste Behavior
- Elastic solid
- Shift Name
- Switch yielding
- Researchers Location
- U.S.
- Publication Date
- May 23
- Key Factors
- Viscoelastic properties