Multiple strategies for the synthesis of high-solids, low-viscosity latices have been established in modern polymer industry. The basic principle supporting these strategies is the polydispersity of the particle size distribution. However, polymerization procedures are often based on experience, tacit knowledge acquired with time and repetitive trial-and-error procedures. Recently, a novel coupled polymerization-viscosity model has been proposed. The model aids screening of potential polymerization strategies. This work presents use of the model as a powerful tool to design new strategies for obtaining highly concentrated aqueous polymer dispersions. By incorporating some simplifying assumptions into the coupled model, the feasibility for synthesizing high-solids latex with low viscosity using novel polymerization strategies was assessed. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.