System and method for determination of viscoelastic properties from given time-dependent penetration of a test liquid creeping inside a channel

A device for measuring viscoelastic properties of a viscoelastic substance comprising:

• (a) a drop of viscoelastic substance with free surface capable of being a source of fluid transport to a capillary channel;
• (b) an inlet for introduction of the said viscoelastic substance from the said drop to a fluid communication due to the sole or combined actions of non-mechanical forces;
• (c) a capillary channel in fluid communication with a first opening, wherein
• (i) the capillary channel has an area A and a perimeter s, and
• (ii) the capillary channel is arranged horizontally to the free surface;
• and
• (d) at least one rheometric measurement instrument for time versus penetration data, wherein the viscoelastic substance in fluid communication with the capillary channel is capable of creeping into the capillary channel and capable of measurement with at least one measurement instrument;
• and
• (e) an electric potential applied to a longitudinal direction of the capillary channel, wherein the electrical potential is positioned to induce additional transiency in flow of the viscoelastic substance by an electro-osmotic force, wherein a measurement of time-dependent penetration of a creeping viscoelastic substance having fluctuating electric potential on an inside surface of the capillary channel is configured to determine a frequency-dependent viscosity of the viscoelastic substance.

A method for determining viscoelastic properties of a viscoelastic substance comprising:

• (a) introducing a viscoelastic substance in a form of a drop onto a free surface having an inlet to a capillary channel through said inlet of the capillary channel via non-mechanical forces, wherein the step of introducing the viscoelastic substance into the channel comprises placing the viscoelastic substance on the free surface having contact with the inlet;
• (b) measuring a time-dependent penetration of a creeping viscoelastic substance inside the capillary channel;
• and
• (c) determining, by combined action of capillary force and electro-osmotic force in a presence of fluctuating electric potential on an encroaching capillary channel, a frequency-dependent viscosity of the viscoelastic substance driven by the capillary force of the viscoelastic substance in the capillary channel.