Topological mixing of yield stress materials

We study the chaotic mixing of non-Newtonian fluids in a static mixing device based upon ideas from topological mixing. The kinematic and topological basis of this device means that fluid mixing and deformation is independent of the flow dynamics, facilitating rapid, global mixing of continuous media regardless of rheology and flow rate. Via experiments and computational studies, we demonstrate the efficacy of this device for a range of viscoplastic non-Newtonian materials, which are traditionally difficult to mix. We elucidate the governing principles upon which this device operates and gauge the scope for applications to a broad class of rheological materials.