Particle collisions, aggregation & resuspension

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The formation of planets and comets, the precipitation of rain or snow from a cloud, the flocculation of particles from an asthma inhaler, the jamming of snacks or pharmaceuticals as they are coated in a plant, the transport by turbidity currents of carbon rich sediments from the continents into the deep ocean all critically depend on the minute details of particle properties and the fluid that mediates them. Particle shape, surface finish and turbulence and structure in the surrounding fluid govern the outcome of the particle collisions that in turn determine whether a planet grows, a rain storm forms, a process plant jams, or a turbidity current deposits its sediment. This Fellowship explores this relationship between particle and fluid properties and collision outcome, by innovating diagnostic technology to allow precision data to be captured in ground-breaking experiments that utilise these new techniques.This proposed programme follows two complementary threads that examine the particle collisions themselves and the role of the surrounding fluid in mediating and/or promoting those collisions. These threads are bought together to verify aggregation models describing the location, frequency and outcome of collisions, dictating the evolution of particle size and distribution throughout a flow. The first thread exploits the unique properties of ice to create highly bespoke binary collisions to forensically identify the particle properties that influence the energetics of a collision leading to aggregation or rebound. The second thread uses new hydrogel bead technology to attempt to make sub-particle scale turbulence measurements that can start to explain the dramatic synergistic influence particles have on the fluid they are carried in. Through this research programme the PI aims to deliver significant, fundamental and lasting developments in the understanding of fluid mediated particle collisions. The PI will enhance her growing, global reputation and track-record in this field and attract high-quality graduate students and post-doctoral researchers to form a dedicated group at the forefront of fluid and particle dynamics research. Current international collaborations will be strengthened and exploited to maximise the benefit of the research, and new links with academics and practitioners will be fostered. The Fellowship will also exploit the world-class facilities - the superconducting magnet and the cryogenic atomic force microscope - and expertise at the University of Nottingham helping to create a focal point for future experimental particle technology studies.