Experimental observation of shear thickening oscillation

We report experimental observations of the shear thickening oscillation, i.e. the spontaneous macroscopic oscillation in the shear flow of severe shear thickening fluid. Using a density-matched starch-water mixture, in the cylindrical shear flow of a few centimeters flow width, we observed that well-marked vibrations of frequency around 20 Hz appear via a Hopf bifurcation upon increasing externally applied shear stress. The parameter range and the frequency of the vibration are consistent with those expected by a simple phenomenological model of the dilatant fluid.