We propose a method to measure the drag force due to synthetic polymers in flowing fluids by using a scanning probe microscope (SPM). Methoxy polyethyleneglycol thiol (mPEG-SH) was attached to the cantilever probe of the SPM, which was further immersed in flows of glycerol and polyethyleneglycol (PEG) solutions. The mPEG-SH-bonded cantilever detects the extra force due to polymer-polymer and polymer-fluids interaction in flowing fluids. The conformation of the mPEG-SH polymer bonded to the probe of the cantilever was predicted as having a stem and ellipsoidal-flower shape, and the drag force due to the deformed mPEG-SH was calculated. The forces detected by experiments using the SPM and the forces obtained by model calculations were compared and found to be reasonably close.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract