In the lab, drag-reducing biopolymers (DRBPs) are being extracted from plants and purified using techniques such as precipitation and dialysis. Gel permeation chromatography is being employed to fractionate the polymer according to molecular weight, remove impurities and characterize the molecular properties of the fractions. Rheological behavior of the preparations is being studied as well as their drag reducing ability in a circulating loop. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to obtain DRBP fractions with maximum drag reducing effect in order to create a pharmaceutical product.
Another aspect of Joie's research involves studying the mechanism behind the vascular flow drag-reducing phenomena. It is being investigated through labeling the DRPs with fluorescent dyes and studying the behavior of these molecules under flow as well as their distribution and lifetime in the vascular system. Adherence properties of the polymers to blood cells and vessel walls are being investigated using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The microflow behavior of the DRPs is being tested using bifurcated micro channels to observe the polymers' distribution in the flow along with the effect the polymers on the size of eddies and stagnant zones present at these bifurcations. In addition, microflow experiments are being performed to study the effects of DRPs on flow behavior of red blood cells. Red blood cells are fluorescently labeled in order to visualize their behavior during flow.