Rheometer for rapidly measuring small quantity samples
AssigneeSymyx Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDamian Hajduk, Eric Carlson, Ravi Srinivasan
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a parallel rheometer and improved force sensor elements, which may advantageously be used in combination with the parallel rheometer. The parallel rheometer of the present invention allows simultaneous measurements of a plurality of samples so as to allow characterization of a plurality of samples within a short time period. The force sensor element according to the present invention allows simultaneous measurement of a shear force and a normal force applied to the sensor element. Moreover, the force sensor may employ stress-optic material.
Claims21
A parallel plate rheometer for simultaneously analyzing material characteristics of two or more samples, comprising:
- first and second plates, respectively having regions, for receiving and confining said two or more samples, the first and second plates being moveable relative to each other;
- an actuator adapted to move the first and second plates relative to each other for producing a shear strain within each sample;
- and
- at least one sensor associated with each region for simultaneously detecting shear stress within each sample.
The parallel plate rheometer of clam 1, wherein the actuator comprises an actuator element for each sample which is symmetrical with respect to an axis normal to a surface of the sample, wherein the actuator element is rotatable around said normal axis by a driving means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.