| Project title |
Microstructure dynamics in continuous and discontinuous shear-thickening suspensions |
| Applicant(s) |
Prof. dr.ir. A.G. Hoekstra, Prof.dr. P.M.A. Sloot, Dr. E. Lorenz, Prof.dr. D. Bonn |
| Abstract |
Despite great industrial importance, basic properties of concentrated granular suspensions remain poorly understood, notably their shear thickening, which manifests itself as a (sudden) increase in viscosity of the flowing suspension. All attempts to capture this based on existing fluid dynamics and/or solid-state theories failed. Key to understanding the flow behaviour lies in understanding the dynamics of the particle microstructure induced by small-scale hydrodynamic interactions between particles. Current simulation techniques are unable to capture these interactions due to large separation of length scales between the particles and the molecules of the suspending medium. Spurred by recent experiments indicating generic underlying mechanisms for shear thickening, we aim to clarify these collective phenomena through high-fidelity computer models, giving us full control over system properties and access to microstructural information. Our goal is unravelling the relation between microstructure, mechanics and dynamics in relation to flow behaviour of dense suspensions in any geometry. |
| Project budget |
k€ 256 (includes 1 PhD student and material budget) |
| Duration |
2015 - 2018 |
