Rheology for sustainable manufacturing technologies
RheoMaTe improves the understanding and processing of fiber-based biomaterials, important e.g. for eco-friendly packaging, textiles, and composites. The project tackles the complexity of these materials with improved measurement tools, AI models, and simulations to make handling easier, increase production efficiency, and support greener solutions.
The objective of the RheoMaTe project is to advance the understanding of the flow and rheological properties of biomaterials, with a particular focus on fiber-based materials. These materials, essential for creating sustainable alternatives in industries like composites, packaging, and textiles, are increasingly processed at high solids content to enhance efficiency. However, processing fiber suspensions remains challenging even at moderate solids content due to their multi-component nature, leading to complex non-Newtonian flow properties and viscoelastic behavior.
Existing experimental methods often lack the precision needed for these materials, particularly for real-time monitoring, limiting the development of accurate material and computational models. RheoMaTe addresses these gaps by creating innovative rheological measurement techniques, developing robust material models, and integrating them with advanced computational frameworks.
In the RheoMaTe project, new measurement geometries are being developed for rotational rheometers specifically designed for fibre suspension and fiber foams, along with novel methods for measuring the extensional rheology of these fluids. The project also supports the development of online rheology measurement devices.
Additionally, new material models are being developed through advanced data analysis methods, including AI-assisted analysis, to describe the rheological behavior of fiber suspensions and fiber foams across a wide range of solids contents and fiber types. These material models will then be used to develop new CFD models for analyzing the flow of these materials in complex geometries.
WP1 develops rheological measurement methods for complex industrial biomaterials.
WP2 focuses on characterizing the rheological properties of industrially relevant materials – primarily fibre suspensions and fibre foams – to better understand their processability and performance in end-use applications, and to identify key parameters and models that accurately describe their behavior.
WP3 develops advanced CFD models for complex fluids for selected industrial processes, enabling better process design, optimization, and scale-up. These models are built on high-quality rheological data generated in WP2 to ensure accuracy and reliability.
WP4 focuses on analyzing and optimizing selected industrial processes and components by combining rheological measurements, validated CFD models, and pilot-scale testing at VTT and consortium partner facilities. The goal is to enhance process efficiency, performance, and scalability.