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Viscosity of polymer solutions

 

In our car engines, the effectiveness of the lubricating oil decreases as the engine temperature increases. In particular, the viscosity of the oil decreases as temperature rises. To try to combat this decrease, special polymers are added to the oil. The search for effective polymers has been largely a matter of trial-and-error. We are investigating the dynamics of polymers, in order to understand the temperature dependence of polymer solutions. Our goal is to provide the rules by which polymer solutions provide temperature-stable viscosity.