Showing papers in "Experiments in Fluids in 2005"

Twenty years of particle image velocimetry

Abstract: The development of the method of particle image velocimetry (PIV) is traced by describing some of the milestones that have enabled new and/or better measurements to be made. The current status of PIV is summarized, and some goals for future advances are addressed.

Universal outlier detection for PIV data

Abstract: An adaptation of the original median test for the detection of spurious PIV data is proposed that normalizes the median residual with respect to a robust estimate of the local variation of the velocity. It is demonstrated that the normalized median test yields a more or less ‘universal’ probability density function for the residual and that a single threshold value can be applied to effectively detect spurious vectors. The generality of the proposed method is verified by the application to a large variety of documented flow cases with values of the Reynolds number ranging from 10−1 to 107.

Stereo-PIV using self-calibration on particle images

Abstract: A stereo-PIV (stereo particle image velocimetry) calibration procedure has been developed based on fitting a camera pinhole model to the two cameras using single or multiple views of a 3D calibration plate. A disparity vector map is computed on the real particle images by cross-correlation of the images from cameras 1 and 2 to determine if the calibration plate coincides with the light sheet. From the disparity vectors, the true position of the light sheet in space is fitted and the mapping functions are corrected accordingly. It is shown that it is possible to derive accurate mapping functions, even if the calibration plate is quite far away from the light sheet, making the calibration procedure much easier. A modified 3-media camera pinhole model has been implemented to account for index-of-refraction changes along the optical path. It is then possible to calibrate outside closed flow cells and self-calibrate onto the recordings. This method allows stereo-PIV measurements to be taken inside closed measurement volumes, which was not previously possible. From the computed correlation maps, the position and thickness of the two laser light sheets can be derived to determine the thickness, degree of overlap and the flatness of the two sheets.

Phase-resolved characterization of vortex shedding in the near wake of a square-section cylinder at incidence

Abstract: The vortex formation and shedding process in the near wake region of a 2D square-section cylinder at incidence has been investigated by means of particle image velocimetry (PIV). Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is used to characterize the coherent large-scale flow unsteadiness that is associated with the wake vortex shedding process. A particular application of the POD analysis is to extract the vortex-shedding phase of individual velocity fields, which were acquired at asynchronous low rate with respect to the vortex shedding cycle. The phase of an individual flow field is determined from its projection on the first pair of POD modes, allowing phase averaging of the measurement data to be performed. In addition, a low-order representation of the flow, constructed from the mean and the first pair of POD modes, is found to be practically equivalent to the phase-averaged results. It is shown that this low-order representation corresponds to the basic Fourier component of the flow field ensemble with respect to the reconstructed phase. The phase-averaged flow representations reveal the dominant flow features of the vortex-shedding process and the effect of the angle of incidence upon it.

Main results of the Second International PIV Challenge

Abstract: This paper presents the main results of the Second International PIV Challenge which took place in Busan (Korea) on the 19th and 20th of September 2003. This workshop was linked to the PIV03 International Symposium, which was held at the same place the following week. The present contribution gives the objectives of the Challenge, describes the test cases and the algorithms used by the participants, and presents the main results together with some discussion and conclusions on the accuracy and robustness of various PIV and PTV algorithms. As all the results obtained cannot be detailed, this contribution should serve as a guide for the use of the full database of images and results which is available at http://www.pivchallenge.org.

Measurements of the flow over a low-aspect-ratio cylinder mounted on a ground plane

Abstract: The flow over a finite-height cylinder of aspect ratio 1, with one end mounted on a ground plane and the other end free, has been studied by means of surface flow visualisation, particle image velocimetry (PIV) and surface pressure measurements. The diameter-based Reynolds number was 200,000. The mean flow topology has been identified in three areas: the horseshoe vortex system, the separated flow over the free-end and the wake region. Evidence is shown for the existence of a three-horseshoe vortex system, while the mean flow over the free-end consists of an arch vortex with its bases on the forward half of the free-end. There are two tip vortices coming off the free-end. The wake region is found to be highly unsteady, with considerable variation from the mean flow.

Use of proper orthogonal decomposition for time interpolation from PIV data : Application to the cycle-to-cycle variation analysis of in-cylinder engine flows

Abstract: Based on time-resolved PIV (TRPIV) data, a new proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) application is developed to recover the time information between two consecutive PIV time measurements. Indeed, by performing a POD over the full PIV velocity field snapshots, POD coefficients are time-interpolated providing a continuous space–time description of the turbulent flow field. An application of this interpolation method is proposed from TRPIV velocity fields obtained in the tumble plane of in-cylinder engine flow. Available flow dynamical representations then allow some cycle-to-cycle variation analyses based on the instantaneous flow pictures as well as on the statistical data. It has been shown that the cyclic variabilities increase during the compression process and at the end of the compression stage, they decrease to reach those obtained during the intake process.

A comparison between snapshot POD analysis of PIV velocity and vorticity data

Abstract: Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) was performed on both the fluctuating velocity and vorticity fields of a backward-facing step (BFS) flow at Reynolds numbers of 580 and 4,660 The data was obtained from particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements The vorticity decomposition captured the fluctuating enstrophy more efficiently than the equivalent velocity field decomposition for a given number of modes Coherent structures in the flow are also more easily identifiable using vorticity-based POD A common structure of the low-order vorticity POD modes suggests that a large-scale similarity, independent of the Reynolds number, may be present for the BFS flow The POD modes obtained from a vorticity-based decomposition would help in determining a basis for constructing simplified vortex skeletons and low-order flow descriptions based on the vorticity of turbulent flows

Outer layer similarity in fully rough turbulent boundary layers

Abstract: Turbulent boundary layer measurements were made on a flat plate covered with uniform spheres and also on the same surface with the addition of a finer-scale grit roughness. The measurements were carried out in a closed return water tunnel, over a momentum thickness Reynolds number (Re θ ) range of 3,000–15,000, using a two-component, laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV). The results show that the mean profiles for all the surfaces collapse well in velocity defect form. Using the maximum peak to trough height (Rt) as the roughness length scale (k), the roughness functions (ΔU+) for both surfaces collapse, indicating that roughness texture has no effect on ΔU+. The Reynolds stresses for the two rough surfaces also show good agreement throughout the entire boundary layer and collapse with smooth wall results outside of the roughness sublayer. Quadrant analysis and the velocity triple products show changes in the rough wall boundary layers that are confined to y<8ks, where ks is the equivalent sand roughness height. The present results provide support for Townsend’s wall similarity hypothesis for uniform three-dimensional roughness. However, departures from wall similarity may be observed for rough surfaces where 5ks is large compared to the thickness of the inner layer.

Variational optical flow estimation for particle image velocimetry

Abstract: We introduce a novel class of algorithms for evaluating PIV image pairs. The mathematical basis is a continuous variational formulation for globally estimating the optical flow vector fields over the whole image. This class of approaches has been known in the field of image processing and computer vision for more than two decades but apparently has not been applied to PIV image pairs so far. We pay particular attention to a multi-scale representation of the image data so as to cope with the quite specific signal structure of particle image pairs. The experimental evaluation shows that a prototypical variational approach competes in noisy real-world scenarios with three alternative approaches especially designed for PIV-sequence evaluation. We outline the potential of the variational method for further developments.

Two-dimensional Gaussian regression for sub-pixel displacement estimation in particle image velocimetry or particle position estimation in particle tracking velocimetry

Abstract: An explicit solution of two-dimensional Gaussian regression for the estimation of particle displacement from the correlation function in particle image velocimetry (PIV) or particle position from the images in particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) with sub-pixel accuracy is introduced. The accuracy and the ability of the methods to avoid pixel locking due to non-axially orientated, elliptically shaped particle images or correlation peaks are investigated using simulated and experimentally obtained images.

Three-dimensional fluorescent particle tracking at micron-scale using a single camera

Abstract: This article reports a new approach to track (x, y, z, t) coordinates of multiple fluorescent particles (diameter range 1–10 μm) simultaneously using a quantitative defocusing method. We find that the defocused image of a 1-μm diameter fluorescent particle formed by the objective lens of a conventional microscope has a bright outer ring due to the spherical aberration of the lens system. The ring radius increases as the particle is moved away from its reference plane and closer to the lens. The reference plane refers to locations of the particle at which the projected image is in focus. The (x, y, z) coordinates of the particle are then inferred from the center location of the image ring as well as the ring radius. The described technique is implemented successfully for obtaining 3D trajectories of swimming Escherichia coli cells.

Droplet size and morphology characterization for dense sprays by image processing : application to the diesel spray

Abstract: Up to now, measurement of drop size remains difficult in dense sprays such as those encountered in Diesel applications Commonly used diagnostics are often limited due to multi-scattering effects, high drop velocity and concentration and also nonspherical shapes The advantage of image-based techniques on the others is its ability to describe the shape of liquid particles that are not fully atomized or relaxed In the present study, a model is developed to correct the main drawbacks of imaging It permits to define criteria for the correction of the apparent size of an unfocused drop and to determine a measurement volume independent of the drop size This considerably reduces the over-estimation of large drops in the drop size distribution Drop shapes are also characterized by four morphological parameters The image-based granulometer is satisfactorily compared to a PDPA and a diffraction-based granulometer for measurements on an ultrasonic spray Then, the new granulometer is applied to a diesel spray One of the results of the analysis is that even if mean drop size distributions are stable 30 mm downstream from the nozzle outlet, the shape of the drops is still evolving towards the spherical shape The atomization process is thus not totally established at this position in opposition to what can be deduced from the drop size distribution alone

Analysis of interpolation schemes for image deformation methods in PIV

Abstract: Image deformation methods in particle image velocimetry are becoming more and more accepted by the scientific community but some aspects have not been thoroughly investigated neither theoretically nor with the aid of simulations. A fundamental step in this type of algorithm is reconstruction of the deformed images that requires the use of an interpolation scheme. The aim of this paper is to examine the influence of this aspect on the accuracy of the PIV algorithm. The performance assessment has been conducted using synthetic images and the results show that both the systematic and total errors are strongly influenced by the interpolation scheme used in the reconstruction of the deformed images. Time performances and the influence of particle diameter are also analysed.

3D scanning particle tracking velocimetry

Abstract: In this article, we present an experimental setup and data processing schemes for 3D scanning particle tracking velocimetry (SPTV), which expands on the classical 3D particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) through changes in the illumination, image acquisition and analysis. 3D PTV is a flexible flow measurement technique based on the processing of stereoscopic images of flow tracer particles. The technique allows obtaining Lagrangian flow information directly from measured 3D trajectories of individual particles. While for a classical PTV the entire region of interest is simultaneously illuminated and recorded, in SPTV the flow field is recorded by sequential tomographic high-speed imaging of the region of interest. The advantage of the presented method is a considerable increase in maximum feasible seeding density. Results are shown for an experiment in homogenous turbulence and compared with PTV. SPTV yielded an average 3,500 tracked particles per time step, which implies a significant enhancement of the spatial resolution for Lagrangian flow measurements.

Velocity and surface pressure measurements in an open cavity

Abstract: Subsonic flow of approximately Mach 0.2 over cavities with L/D ratios of 5.16 and 1.49 were studied experimentally using particle image velocimetry (PIV), surface pressure measurements, and hot-wire measurements. The incoming boundary layer was turbulent in both cases. The PIV data was analyzed to yield mean flow characteristics, vorticity field information, and two-point statistics for the velocity field. The hot-wire data was combined with surface pressure measurements to detail the correlations between velocity and pressure fluctuations. An analysis of the correlation between surface pressure measurements shows contrasting characteristics for the two cavity aspect ratios. The PIV data was combined with surface pressure measurements through the application of quadratic stochastic estimation to predict the time-dependent behavior of the velocity field. An examination of the results supports the existence of different cavity flow modes, as has been suggested in much of the literature.

Reynolds number effects on the behavior of a non-buoyant round jet

Abstract: The behavior of a non-buoyant circular water jet discharged from a contraction nozzle was experimentally investigated. In this experiment, the Reynolds number of the jet, based on the mean velocity results obtained by particle image velocimetry (PIV), ranged from 177 to 5,142. From the experimental results, we found that the cross-sectional profile of the axial velocity for a laminar flow near the nozzle did not show a top-hat distribution, whereas the profiles with Reynolds number higher than 437 were almost top-hat. The length of the zone of flow establishment (ZFE) was found to decrease with increasing Reynolds number. The measured centerline velocity decayed more rapidly and, consequently, approached the theoretical equation earlier near the nozzle as the Reynolds number increased. The decay constant for the centerline velocity of the turbulent cases was relatively lower than that discovered in theory. It is assumed that this probably resulted from the use of the contraction nozzle. Verifying the similarity of the lateral velocity profiles demonstrated that the Gaussian curve was properly approximated only for the turbulent jets and not for the laminar or transitional flows. The jet half width seldom grew for the laminar or transitional flows, whereas it grew with increasing axial distance for the turbulent flows. The spreading rates for the turbulent flows gradually decreased with increasing Reynolds number. The normalized turbulence intensity along the jet centerline increased more rapidly with the axial distance as the Reynolds number increased, and tended to the constant values proposed by previous investigators. The Reynolds shear stress levels were also found to increase as the Reynolds number increased for the turbulent jets.

Evaluation of aero-optical distortion effects in PIV

Abstract: Aero-optical distortion effects on the accuracy of particle image velocimetry (PIV) are investigated. When the illuminated particles are observed through a medium that is optically inhomogeneous due to flow compressibility, the resulting particle image pattern is subjected to deformation and blur. In relation to PIV two forms of error can be identified: position error and velocity error. In this paper a model is presented that describes these errors and particle image blur in relation to the refractive index field of the flow. In the case of 2D flows the model equations can be simplified and, furthermore, the background oriented schlieren technique (BOS) can be applied as a means to assess and correct for the optical error in PIV. The model describing the optical distortion is validated by both computer simulation and real experiments of 2D flows. Two flow features are considered: one with optical distortion normal to the velocity (shear layer) and one with optical distortion in the direction of the flow (expansion fan). Both simulation and experiments demonstrate that the major source for the velocity error is the second derivative of the refractive index in the direction of the velocity vector. The aero-optical distortion effect is less critical for shearing interfaces in comparison with compression/expansion fronts, the most critical case being represented by shock waves. Based on the results from the simulated experiments, it is concluded that for the 2D flow case the BOS method allows a measurement of the mean velocity error in PIV and can reduce it to a large extent.

Application of pressure-sensitive paint for determination of the pressure field and calculation of the forces and moments of models in a wind tunnel

Abstract: The visualization and measurements of aerodynamic effects on a 3D aircraft model were conducted using an optical pressure measurement system, based on the pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique. PSP technology provides a good understanding of the flow around the wind tunnel model. The PSP technique can be used to carry out absolute pressure measurements on a surface of the model and to determine additional aerodynamic data using scientific-grade cameras and image processing techniques. Surface pressures from the top, bottom, left, and right viewing directions were obtained using the DLR-PSP system on the entire surface, which can be observed by eight CCD cameras. Finally, the measured pressures can be integrated to calculate the forces and moments of the complete model, or parts thereof.

Local thickness and wave velocity measurement of wavy films with a chromatic confocal imaging method and a fluorescence intensity technique

Abstract: This work presents two different methods for measuring the thickness of wavy films. The first one is a new non-intrusive technique called “chromatic confocal imaging method” which uses two optical properties—the confocal image and the chromatic aberration of a lens. The accuracy of this technique depends on the optical components, the local gradient of the film thickness and the accuracy of the refractive index used. The second method for simultaneous measurements of film thickness and wave velocity is based on a fluorescence intensity technique. Film thickness and wave velocity measurements of silicone films with different viscosities are presented for Reynolds numbers from 2 to 700 and various inclination angles. The experimental data agree well with the results from published experimental and theoretical studies.

Feasability study of wall shear stress imaging using microstructured surfaces with flexible micropillars

Abstract: A new optical sensor technique based on a sensor film with arrays of hair-like flexible micropillars on the surface is presented to measure the temporal and spatial wall shear stress field in boundary layer flows. The sensor principle uses the pillar tip deflection in the viscous sublayer as a direct measure of the wall shear stress. The pillar images are recorded simultaneously as a grid of small bright spots by high-speed imaging of the illuminated sensor film. Two different ways of illumination were tested, one of which uses the fact that the transparent pillars act as optical microfibres, which guide the light to the pillar tips. The other method uses pillar tips which were reflective coated. The tip displacement field of the pillars is measured by image processing with subpixel accuracy. With a typical displacement resolution on the order of 0.2 μm, the minimum resolvable wall friction value is τw≈20 mPa. With smaller pillar structures than those used in this study, one can expect even smaller resolution limits.

Dual-plane PIV technique to determine the complete velocity gradient tensor in a turbulent boundary layer

Abstract: Simultaneous dual-plane PIV experiments, which utilized three cameras to measure velocity components in two differentially separated planes, were performed in streamwise-spanwise planes in the log region of a turbulent boundary layer at a moderate Reynolds number (Reτ ∼ 1100). Stereoscopic data were obtained in one plane with two cameras, and standard PIV data were obtained in the other with a single camera. The scattered light from the two planes was separated onto respective cameras by using orthogonal polarizations. The acquired datasets were used in tandem with continuity to compute all 9 velocity gradients, the complete vorticity vector and other invariant quantities. These derived quantities were employed to analyze and interpret the structural characteristics and features of the boundary layer. Sample results of the vorticity vector are consistent with the presence of hairpin-shaped vortices inclined downstream along the streamwise direction. These vortices envelop low speed zones and generate Reynolds shear stress that enhances turbulence production. Computation of inclination angles of individual eddy cores using the vorticity vector suggests that the most probable inclination angle is 35° to the streamwise-spanwise plane with a resulting projected eddy inclination of 43° in the streamwise-wall-normal plane.

Flow structure of microbubble-laden turbulent channel flow measured by PIV combined with the shadow image technique

Abstract: The turbulence structure of a horizontal channel flow with microbubbles is experimentally investigated using combined particle image velocimetry (PIV) in order to clarify the mechanism of drag reduction caused by microbubbles. A new system which simultaneously measures the liquid phase and the dispersed bubbles is proposed, based on a combination of particle tracking velocimetry (PTV), laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and the shadow image technique (SIT). To accurately obtain the velocity of the liquid phase, tracer particles which overlap with the bubble shadow images are almost entirely eliminated in the post-processing. Finally, the turbulence characteristics of the flow field are presented, including measurements for both phases, and the bubble effect on the turbulence is quantified.

Flow around a circular cylinder—structure of the near wake shear layer

Abstract: The separated shear layer in the near wake of a circular cylinder was investigated using a single hot wire probe, with special attention given to the shear layer instability characteristics Without end plates to force parallel vortex shedding, the critical Reynolds number for the onset of the instability was 740 The present data, together with all previously published data, show that the ratio of the instability frequency fsl to the vortex shedding frequency fv varies as Re065, which is in agreement with the Re067 dependence obtained by Prasad and Williamson [1997, J Fluid Mech 333:375–402] However, the distribution of fsl/fv and the spectra of the longitudinal velocity fluctuation (u) suggest that, on either side of Re=5,000, the shear layer exhibits lower and upper subcritical regimes, in support of the observations by Norberg [1987, publication no 87/2, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden] and Prasad and Williamson [1997, J Fluid Mech 343:235–265] The spectra of u provide strong evidence for the occurrence of vortex pairing in wake shear layers, suggesting that the near wake develops in a similar manner to a mixing layer

Experimental study of the behavior of a valveless impedance pump

Abstract: When a fluid-filled flexible tube is connected to tubing of different impedance, a net flow in either direction can be induced by periodically pinching the flexible section asymmetrically from the ends. We have experimentally demonstrated a variety of conditions under which pumping occurs; including changes in actuator position, size and pinching frequency, transmural pressure, systemic resistance and materials. Data collected includes dynamic pressure and flow-rate measurements at the inlet and outlet of the pump and ultrasound imaging of the tube walls. The net flow rate is highly sensitive to pinching frequency. The pump does not require a closed loop and can sustain a pressure head. We have also shown that a flexible, yet inelastic material is a sufficient condition for impedance-driven flow. A micro-scaled version of the pump was simultaneously tested demonstrating the feasibility of a miniature design.

Comment on the Clauser chart method for determining the friction velocity

Abstract: A known difficulty with using the Clauser chart method to determine the friction velocity in wall bounded flows is that it assumes, a priori, a logarithmic law for the mean velocity profile. Using both experimental and DNS data in the literature, this note explicitly shows how friction velocities obtained using the Clauser chart method can potentially mask subtle Reynolds-number-dependent behavior.

Effect of surface steps on boundary layer transition

Abstract: An experimental study has been carried out to examine the effect of a sharp-edged step on boundary layer transition. The transition position and disturbance spectra in the boundary layer for different step heights and free-stream velocities were measured by hot-wire anemometry. A correlation between the transition Reynolds number and the relative step height has been established for both backward-facing and forward-facing steps. The transition position is associated with the “N-factor” that defines the integrated growth of instability waves at transition. The boundary layer over a step has an earlier transition position than that on a smooth plate, since the instability waves amplify more rapidly than those on a smooth surface. The transition N-factor for the flow containing a step, calculated using the amplification rates on a smooth plate, will, therefore, be smaller than that on surfaces without a step. The observed reduction of the N-factor occurring with a step has been shown to correlate with the height of the step, thus, providing an empirical tool that can be used to estimate the transition position when steps occur. An appropriate value of N can be determined from knowledge of the step height.

Flow characteristics of spray impingement in PFI injection systems

Abstract: The present paper addresses an experimental study of the dynamic exchanges between the impact of an intermittent spray and the liquid film formed over the target, based on detailed phase Doppler anemometry (PDA) measurements of droplet size, velocity and volume flux in the vicinity of the impact. The flow configuration is that of a pulsed injector spraying gasoline onto a flat disc to simulate the port fuel injection (PFI) of an internal combustion engine operating at cold-start conditions. The measurements evidence that the outcome of impact cannot be accurately predicted based on the characteristics of the free spray, but requires precise knowledge of the flow structure, induced by the target. The implications for spray–wall interaction modelling are then discussed based on the application of conservation equations to the mass, momentum and energy exchanged between the impinging droplets and the liquid film. The results show that the liquid film starts to form in the vicinity of the stagnation region at early stages of injection and a non-negligible proportion of droplets impinging at outer regions splash after interaction with the film. Film disruption is mainly driven by the intermittent axial momentum of impinging droplets, which enhances the vertical oscillations. The radial momentum imparted to the liquid film at the stagnation region is fed back onto secondary droplets emerging later during the injection cycle at outwards locations, where momentum of impacting droplets is much smaller. As a consequence, although the number of splashed droplets is enhanced by normal momentum, their size and ejection velocity depends more on the radial spread induced onto the liquid film and, hence, on the radial momentum at impact. The analysis further shows that existing spray–wall interaction models can be improved if the dynamic exchanges between the impacting spray and the liquid film are accounted.

High-speed PIV measurements of the flow downstream of a dynamic mechanical model of the human vocal folds

Abstract: The objective of the present study is the detailed analysis of the unsteady vortex dynamics downstream of the human glottis during phonation at typical fundamental frequencies of the male voice of about 120 Hz. A hydraulic respiratory mock circuit has been built, including a factor of three up-scaled realistic dynamic model of the vocal folds. Time-resolving flow measurements were carried out downstream of the glottis by means of high-speed particle image velocimetry (PIV). The function of the human glottis is reproduced by two counter-rotating cams, each of which is covered with a stretched silicone membrane. The three-dimensional (3-D) geometry of the cams is designed such that the rotation leads to a realistic time-varying motion and profile of the glottis and waveform of the glottal cycle. Using high-speed PIV, the velocity field is captured with high spatial and temporal resolution to investigate the unsteady vortex dynamics of the cyclic jet-like flow in the vocal tract. The results help us to understand the vorticity interaction within the pulsating jet and, consequently, the generated sound in a human voice. In addition, changing the 3-D contours of the cams enables us to investigate basic pathological differences of the glottis function and the resulting alterations of the velocity and vorticity field in the vocal tract. The results are presented for typical physiological flow conditions in the human glottis. The frequencies of periodic vortex structures generated downstream of the glottis are fivefold higher than the fundamental frequency of the vocal folds’ oscillation. The highest vorticity fluctuations have a phase shift of 35% relative to the opening of the glottis. Finally, the flow field in the vocal tract is identified to be highly three-dimensional.

High shear microfluidics and its application in rheological measurement

Abstract: High shear rheology was explored experimentally in microchannels (150×150 μm). Two aqueous polymer solutions, polyethylene oxide (viscoelastic fluid) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (viscous fluid) were tested. Bagley correction was applied to remove the end effect. Wall slip was investigated with Mooney’s analysis. Shear rates as high as 106 s−1 were obtained in the pressure-driven microchannel flow, allowing a smooth extension of the low shear rheological data obtained from the conventional rheometers. At high shear rates, polymer degradation was observed for PEO solutions at a critical microchannel wall shear stress of 4.1×103 Pa. Stresses at the ends of the microchannel also contributed to PEO degradation significantly.