👉 Complex fluids, also known as non-Newtonian fluids, exhibit behaviors that are more intricate than those of simple Newtonian fluids, like water or oil. These fluids have properties that change under different conditions, such as shear rate, temperature, or pressure. For instance, they can display viscosity that varies with applied stress, meaning they might become less resistant to flow when more force is applied (shear-thinning) or more resistant (shear-thickening). Examples include ketchup, which flows more easily when shaken but resists flow when stationary, and blood, which behaves differently under varying pressures in the circulatory system. Additionally, complex fluids can have structures that change over time, such as colloidal suspensions where particles can aggregate or disperse, further complicating their flow characteristics. This complexity makes them fascinating and challenging to study in fields ranging from materials science to biophysics.
