Electrorheological and magnetorheological fluid scanning rheometer

An apparatus for determining the viscosity of a fluid over plural shear rates using a decreasing pressure differential, said apparatus comprising:

• a fluid source elevated at a first reference position above a horizontal reference position;
• a flow restrictor having a first end and a second end, said first end being in fluid communication with the fluid source, said flow restrictor having some known dimensions;
• a lumen having one end in fluid communication with said second end of said flow restrictor and another end being exposed to atmospheric pressure, said lumen having a portion positioned at an angle greater than zero degrees with respect to said horizontal reference position, and wherein a pressure differential exists between a column of fluid in said portion and said elevated fluid source, said column of fluid moving through said flow restrictor and said lumen at a first shear rate caused by said pressure differential, said movement of fluid causing said pressure differential to decrease from said first shear rate for generating said plural shear rates;
• a sensor for detecting the movement of said column of fluid, said sensor generating data relating to the movement of said column of fluid over time;
• an electric/magnetic field generator for subjecting said flow restrictor to an electric/magnetic field when the fluid is flowing therein;
• and
• a processor, coupled to said sensor, for calculating the viscosity of the fluid over a range of plural shear rates based on said data relating to the movement of the column of fluid over time and said some known dimensions.