Build up of yield stress fluids via chaotic emulsification

Stabilised dense emulsions display a rich phenomenology connecting microstructure and rheology. In this work, we study how an emulsion with a finite yield stress can be built via large-scale stirring. By gradually increasing the volume fraction of the dispersed minority phase, under the constant action of a stirring force, we are able to achieve a volume fraction close to (Formula presented.). Despite the fact that our system is highly concentrated and not yet turbulent we observe a droplet size distribution consistent with the (Formula presented.) scaling, often associated with inertial range droplets breakup. We report that the polydispersity of droplet sizes correlates with the dynamics of the emulsion formation process. Additionally, we quantify the visco-elastic properties of the dense emulsion finally obtained and we demonstrate the presence of a finite yield stress. The approach reported can pave the way to a quantitative understanding of the complex interplay between the dynamics of mesoscale constituents and the large-scale flow properties of yield stress fluids.