Shear viscosity and structural scalings in model adhesive hard-sphere gels

We present experiments and simulations that show a fundamental scaling for both the rheology and microstructure of flowing gels. Unique flow-SANS measurements demonstrate that the structure orients along both the neutral and compression axis. We quantify the anisotropy using a single parameter, alpha(n), that scales by a dimensionless number, M', that arises from a force balance on a particle. Simulations support the scalings and confirm the results are independent of the shape and range of the potential suggesting a universal for colloidal gels with short-ranged attractions.