Experimental Techniques for Microrheology

Abstract

In passive microrheology, the viscoelastic function can be obtained from the trajectory of Brownian motion of the probe particle. Various methods can be used to measure particle position. In this review, we describe typical methods using video tracking and dynamic light scattering and present the results of our recent studies. We also present our recently developed method for determining the viscoelasticity of a matrix from the orientation correlation function of the probe particles using dielectric relaxation measurements. This method allows the use of molecular-sized probes and is applicable to materials with high elastic moduli such as glass. This method allows us to extend our interest from microrheology to nanorheology.

graphical abstract