Author ORCID Identifier
0009-0004-0210-0512
Date of Award
8-31-2026
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Physics, Applied
First Advisor
Jonathon Celli
Second Advisor
Chandra Yelleswarapu
Third Advisor
Mohammed Garbhi
Abstract
This thesis investigates the relationship between macroscopic rheological signals and underlying microscopic dynamics in complex fluids, specifically focusing on ”living polymers” within the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium salicylate (NaSal) surfactant system. The research addresses the inverse parameterization problem, demonstrating how bulk measurements like zero-shear viscosity can mask fundamentally different physical topologies, such as purely cylindrical, reptating micelles versus highly branched networks. Through the successful synthesis of viscoelastically ”degenerate” samples, the study utilizes an array of characterization techniques including frequency sweeps, Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear (LAOS) to resolve these unique underlying states. Furthermore, the work explores further avenues of study for addressing the core issue, such as phase space and perturbation analysis, meso-macro level comparisons using microrheology via Differential Dynamic Microscopy, and the application of Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) guided by the Maximum Caliber Principle to infer microscopic relaxation spectra from macroscopic data in an effort to provide a framework for reconciling the tension between discrete microstates and continuous bulk measurements.
Recommended Citation
Hasler, Adam M., "Synthesizing Viscoelasticity: Living Polymers, Micro-Macro Relations, and Paths for Resolution" (2026). Graduate Masters Theses. 983.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/masters_theses/983
Included in
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Commons, Fluid Dynamics Commons, Materials Chemistry Commons, Optics Commons, Polymer Chemistry Commons, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics Commons
Comments
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