Research Consortium in Multi-Scale Transport Phenomena for Advanced Materials Manufacturing

在制造或使用的某个阶段，许多产品由不断变化的颗粒、活性成分和溶剂载体组成。进步的一个关键限制/改进的制造或更好的使用功能/是我们对这些不断发展的产品中小分子和颗粒的多尺度运输之间的关系理解不足。复杂的几何形状和异质性在许多长度尺度抑制容易的分析。我们把这个问题简化为微粒输送问题。颗粒输送的例子包括[显然]胶体和涂层的简单干燥；纳米颗粒团簇中粒子间力的控制控释植入材料和酶标记清洗剂的开发。在几乎所有情况下，发生的现象的动力学，以及它们如何控制正在形成或使用的产品的内部微观结构和性能的发展，都知之甚少。因此，进步是偶然的，主要是通过试验和错误。关键是，一个领域的进步（甚至是失败）并不总能在另一个领域实现。该提案寻求资源，以建立一个能够在广泛的部门和学科中对颗粒运输产生真正影响的联盟。它将确定问题、研究议程和那些最有能力追求议程的人/群体。该联盟将把这一研究重点放在一个有针对性的研究项目上。该项目的主要成果将是向EPSRC申请研究资金，以解决颗粒运输问题。结果随后将嵌入到工业中。

At some stage of manufacture or use, many products consist of an evolving matrix of particles, active ingredient and solvent carrier. A key limitation to progress / either improved manufacturing or better in-use functionality / is our inadequate understanding of the relationship between the multi-scale transport of small molecules and particles within these evolving products. Complex geometries and heterogeneity over many length-scales inhibit easy analysis. We abbreviate this to the problem of particulate transport . Examples of particulate transport include the [apparently] simple drying of colloids and coatings; the control of interparticle forces in nanoparticle clusters; the development of controlled drug release implant materials and enzyme-tagged cleaning agents. In almost all cases the dynamics of the phenomena occurring, and how they control the development of the internal microstructure and performance of the product being formed or used, are poorly understood. Progress is, therefore, haphazard and largely by trial and error. Critically, advances (and indeed failures) in one sector are not always realised in another. This proposal seeks the resources to build a consortium with the ability to make real impact on particulate transport across a broad range of sectors and disciplines. It will identify the issues, the research agenda and those people / groups best able to pursue the agenda. The consortium will focus this into a cohesive programme of research with targeted aims and objectives. The principal output of the project will be a major application to the EPSRC for research funding to address particulate transport . Results will subsequently be embedded into industry.