Monitoring of different complex materials with TSM resonators array

Abstract

To perform a spatial monitoring of complex fluids, a new sensors made of an array of Thickness Shear Mode Resonator (TSMR) is used. TSMR gives access to the spatial mechanical parameters such as the complex shear modulus. Using a network analyzer, the variation of the impedance of the TSMR around its resonance frequency can be measured. From this impedance measurement, previous works have shown that the complex shear modulus can accurately be extracted using an appropriate electrical model. To perform a spatial monitoring in inhomogeneous materials, a new sensor made of a TSMR array is proposed. This paper presents a new associated model of the TSMR array. Experimental study using water-glycerol mixtures confirm its validity. The efficiency of the rheological measurement using this type of sensor is also proved for gels formation monitoring.