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The main theme of Prof. Gadala-Maria’s research is relating the
microstructure of materials to their macroscopic properties. The
principal techniques used by him and his collaborators are
rheological measurements and digital image processing. Past research
projects include the correlation of the rheological and electrical
properties of concentrated suspensions of non-colloidal particles to
the shear-induced anisotropic arrangement of the suspended
particles, and the effect of shear prior to curing on the
arrangement of the inclusions and on the final properties of
composite materials. The results from these projects may be useful
in the manufacture of products as diverse as solid rocket
propellants and bipolar plates for fuel cells. The technique
developed to measure the orientation distribution of fibers in
short-fiber composites may find application in the manufacture of
products such as paper and non-woven textiles. Other projects
include studies of the rheology of the solder pastes and other
industrial materials, and the effect of the rheology of fresh
concrete on the settlement of its aggregates before curing. Current
projects include the rheology of bulk molding compounds, the
rheology of natural polysaccharides, and the economics of the
production of hydrogen from nuclear power.
Selected Publications
Venkata Giri Kolli, Emily
J. Pollauf, and Francis Gadala-Maria, “Transient Normal Force
Response in a Concentrated Suspension of Spherical Particles,”
Journal of Rheology 46, 321-334 (2002).
Chandis R. Brasington and
F. Gadala-Maria, "Decrease in Fluorescence and Phosphorescence
Intensity of Nylon 66 Impurities by Exposure to Ultraviolet
Radiation," Journal of Applied Polymer Science 55, 687-697
(1995).
F. Gadala-Maria and F.
Parsi, "Measurement of Fiber Orientation in Short-Fiber Composites
Using Digital Image Processing," Polymer Composites 14,
126-131 (1993).
F. Parsi and F.
Gadala-Maria, "Fore-and-Aft Asymmetry in a Concentrated Suspension
of Solid Spheres," Journal of Rheology 31, 725‑732 (1987).
F. Gadala-Maria and
A. Acrivos, "Shear-Induced Structure in a Concentrated Suspension of
Solid Spheres," Journal of Rheology 24, 799‑814 (1980).
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