Yuxuan Luo, a PhD student from the University of Melbourne, has been a member of the Australian Society of Rheology (ASR) since 2021.
“Rheology provides the framework to understand how materials behave under different forces,” Yuxuan explains. “Whether it’s flowing, compressing, or stretching, the ability to measure and model these behaviours is essential to design better industrial processes.”

A Passion for Rheology Sparked by Industry Needs
Yuxuan’s interest in rheology was first sparked in 2019 while he was a Master by Research student under Professor Peter Scales at the University of Melbourne. Working on shear rheology and its role in chemical product characterisation, Yuxuan quickly recognised the great potential of this field.
“Rheology has such a broad scope,” Yuxuan says. “It’s applied across industries from food and pharmaceuticals to paints, wastewater treatment and mining.”
Since then, Yuxuan has worked closely with the Australian chemical industry, contributing to product development and process optimisation.

Advancing Mining Practices Through Compressional Rheology
In 2021, Yuxuan started his PhD at the University of Melbourne under the supervision of Associate Professor Anthony Stickland, former president of the ASR. His research explores compressional rheology and its application in enhancing the dewaterability of mineral tailings, which directly impacts water recovery and mineral waste management.
Supported by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals (COEMinerals), Yuxuan’s project aims to develop a novel dewatering technique that could significantly improve the sustainability of future mining operations.
Australia-Korea Rheology Conference (AKRC)
In 2021, Yuxuan presented on the topic of “Impacts of Clay in Mineral Dewatering” at the AKRC 2021 conference, which was organised by ASR. Two years later, he took on an organiser role for AKRC 2023. His presentation on “Pelleting Flocculation in Mineral Dewatering and Characterisation” earned him the Best Presentation Award that year.

Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Rheology and Industry Collaboration
As Yuxuan approaches the completion of his PhD, he reflects on how his journey in rheology is only just beginning. “Although I’m finishing my PhD soon, my journey in rheology has a long way to go,” he says. “Rheology is increasingly being used in different industries, and I look forward to seeing more industrial involvement in the ASR.”
Contributed by
Yuxuan LUO
Posted by ASR Admin