Rheological characterization of mammalian lung mucus

Mammalian lung mucus is a complex fluid that demonstrates nonlinear viscoelastic responses, strain-stiffening at low and strain-softening at large strain values, as measured using large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) experiments. The mechanical properties of lung mucus reported here can be linked to high-strain rate physiological processes, such as coughing, and can guide drug delivery development.