The measurement of diffusion and flow in polymer solutions using dynamic NMR microscopy

The new method of dynamic NMR microscopy has been used to obtain velocity and diffusion maps for polymer solutions in capillary flow. In particular we observe power law shear-thinning behaviour in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solutions in the semi-dilute regime but without slip at the walls. Some evidence is apparent for enhanced solvent diffusion along the shear axis in region of high shear.