Dynamic viscoelastic shear properties of soft matter by magnetic resonance elastography using a low-field dedicated system

• Published in: Journal of rheology (New York : 1978) 2006-07, Vol.50 (4), p.531-541
• Main Authors: Vappou, J., Willinger, R., Breton, E., Choquet, P., Goetz, C., Constantinesco, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Dynamic viscoelastic characterization; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Fluids mechanics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Magnetic resonance elastography; Mechanics; Physics; Rheological measurements; Rheology; Soft matter; Solid mechanics; Static elasticity (thermoelasticity...); Structural and continuum mechanics; Techniques and apparatus; Vibration, mechanical wave, dynamic stability (aeroelasticity, vibration control...)
• ISSN: 0148-6055; 1520-8516
• DOI: 10.1122/1.2207187

A magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) based method that consists in measuring dynamic viscoelastic parameters of soft matter by analysis of propagating shear waves at different frequencies is proposed. Dynamic shear tests were performed on soft gels with a dedicated magnetic resonance imaging system at low field ( 0.1 T ) and were compared with results obtained with a mechanical rotational rheometer. Storage and loss moduli were plotted against frequency with both methods and good agreement was found between their results in the shared frequency range. Therefore, it is shown that the described method could be a reliable and accessible tool for three-dimensional dynamic mechanical analysis on soft matter able to overcome dynamic range, sample dimensions and directional limitations of mechanical rheometers. Advantages and limits of the method are discussed.