Fluidiska

Fluidiska is a term used in materials science and fluid mechanics to denote a class of fluids whose internal microstructure can reconfigure under flow or external stimuli, allowing the rheological properties of the fluid to be tuned in situ. The fluidic systems encompassed by Fluidiska share non-Newtonian behavior, often exhibiting viscoelasticity, shear-thinning or shear-thickening, and sometimes self-healing or responsive viscosity.

Origin and scope: The word is a coinage from the early 21st century to describe engineered or naturally occurring fluids with adaptive microstructure, including polymer solutions with reversible cross-links, colloidal gels, liquid crystals, and active fluids. The concept is used to discuss systems where flow and structure influence each other in a reversible or controllable way.

Modeling and theory: Researchers describe Fluidiska with continuum models that couple the momentum balance to an internal structure parameter field. The constitutive relation includes terms that capture structure evolution under deformation, sometimes drawing on Oldroyd-B, Giesekus, or FENE-P models augmented with structure dynamics. Experimental study often uses rheometry, microrheology, and microfluidic tests.

Applications and significance: In microfluidics, Fluidiska enables flow control and property tuning without changing composition, while in soft robotics and coatings it supports adaptive damping and responsive surfaces. In additive manufacturing and cosmetics, the concept guides the design of fluids that adjust viscosity or elasticity during processing or use.

See also: Non-Newtonian fluid, Rheology, Viscoelasticity, Smart fluids.