This special session celebrates the 50th anniversary of a foundational breakthrough in rheology: the creation and development of Boger fluids. Named in honor of Professor David Boger, these viscoelastic fluids with constant shear viscosity have become an indispensable cornerstone of our discipline.
For half a century, Boger fluids have served as the quintessential model system for probing complex elastic flow phenomena without the complicating factor of shear thinning. They have been instrumental in validating constitutive equations, benchmarking numerical simulations, and developing novel experimental techniques. This session will highlight the profound and enduring impact of David Boger's work, which provided a unique "ideal" fluid that bridged the gap between theoretical rheology and experimental observation. Notably, The Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics will be running a Special Issue aligned with this celebration, offering an additional platform to showcase cutting-edge research and insights related to Boger fluids and their far-reaching contributions.
Beyond his foundational role in fundamental rheology, Boger’s visionary work also paved the way for transformative applications in industrial and environmental contexts. In particular, his pioneering contributions to Environmental Rheology—especially in the sustainable management of industrial and mineral waste—have had a profound practical impact. By applying rheological principles to the treatment and reuse of waste materials, Boger and his collaborators developed innovative technologies such as paste tailings disposal, which significantly enhances the safety, stability, and environmental performance of mineral processing operations. These advances demonstrate how rheological insight can address real-world challenges in resource efficiency and environmental protection.
We will welcome contributions that explore the past, present, and future of this field. Topics will include, but are not limited to:
• Historical perspectives on the development and synthesis of Boger fluids.
• Fundamental studies utilizing Boger fluids to elucidate viscoelastic flow instabilities and phenomena.
• Advances in computational rheology validated against Boger fluid experiments.
• The application of Boger fluids as benchmark materials in modern rheometric practices.
• Rheological solutions for environmental and industrial challenges, including waste treatment and recycling.
• Experimental methods for measuring shear yield stress in highly-filled suspensions and viscoplastic materials.
• Applications of viscoplastic flow principles in mineral processing (e.g., slurry handling, waste minimization, process optimization).
• Future directions and novel applications inspired by this pioneering work.
Join us in honoring the legacy of David Boger, a legacy that continues to shape and inspire rheological research worldwide.
Chairs:
|
Anthony Stickland (University of Melbourne, Australia) |
Taniguchi Takashi (Kyoto University, Japan) |