X-ray phase-contrast imaging of dynamics of complex fluids

Complex fluids often exhibit unusual and/or unexpected behaviours in response to external stresses because of their complicated structures and compositions. It is not easy to understand dynamic behaviours of complex fluids based on using conventional imaging methods such as optical or electron microscopy. Recently, x-ray phase-contrast imaging, as one of the most powerful methods, has been introduced for elucidating the dynamic nature of complex fluids, enabling directly looking into the insides of complex fluids thanks to the strong penetration capability and small refractivity of hard x-rays. In this paper, we review representative x-ray imaging studies on dynamics of various complex fluid systems from droplets, bubbles, granular materials and foams to colloids. It is demonstrated that x-ray phase-contrast imaging would help us better identify and utilize the properties of complex fluids.