SBIR Phase I: Virtual Prototyping Tool for Polymer Flow Process

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This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I project will develop an engineering design level simulation tool for non-Newtonian flow systems, such as polymers and suspensions used in advanced materials engineering and process design. Recently developed innovative modeling of rheological properties at a mesoscopic level, using a rate-of-strain dependent relaxation time in the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), will be used. Validation studies will include quantitative analysis of "spurt" in pressure-driven flow and persistent oscillations in piston-driven flow followed by a qualitative pilot study of polymeric flow in a complex geometrical industrial prototype device. This project will produce design tools that are urgently needed to overcome physical and/or engineering limits in various manufacturing and processing industries, Potential applications include coating and fiber spinning, design and production of new processes and materials for filled and unfilled silicones, diesel powerplant and emissions, injection molding, environmentally benign processes, drag reduction in naval engineering, and ant-icing aircraft sprays.