Real-Time Rheological Monitoring With the Smart Stirrer

This article presents an approach for wireless real-time measurements of dynamic viscosity in the range of 50–1000 mPa
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utilizing a laboratory hotplate in conjunction with the Smart Stirrer device. The Smart Stirrer is an innovative tool resembling a conventional magnetic stirrer enhanced with an embedded system-on-chip (SoC) Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) module, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and magnetometer sensors, serving as a platform for viscosity monitoring. The principle of measurement is based on the interaction between the magnetic field of the hotplate’s magnet and the Smart Stirrer’s internal magnets, with variations in a liquid viscosity impacting the rotational dynamics of the Stirrer and measured by the sensors. The paper details the experimental setup, data acquisition, and analysis procedures, demonstrating the capability of the system to accurately and noninvasively measure the viscosity of various liquid solutions in real-time. The method addresses the practical limitations of existing methods and offers an integrative approach for monitoring in situ rheological properties in laboratory settings. It stands out for its simplicity, ease of integration, and potential for broader applications, making it a valuable tool in various fields requiring fluid property measurements.