Orateur
Description
Mucus is a viscoelastic liquid that coats the walls of the lungs, playing a crucial role in air filtration. In diseases such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, and primary ciliary dyskinesia, excessive mucus production and altered rheological properties lead to the formation of mucus plugs. The effect of mucus viscoelasticity on the rupture of these plugs—typically cleared by coughing—has been little studied.
This work presents a simplified experimental investigation of liquid plug dynamics in a tube under oscillatory forcing. Plug rupture occurs due to the deposition of a Bretherton film on the walls. We focus on how viscoelastic properties affect the rupture process, including the conditions and timescales involved. Preliminary observations suggest that viscoelasticity introduces non-monotonic differences in the breakup mechanisms and plug dynamics, with the most pronounced effects occurring at intermediate viscoelastic properties.
These experiments aim to shed light on the complex interplay between fluid rheology and plug stability, offering a step toward better understanding mucus clearance failures in diseased airways.