Code to Precisely Model Concentrated Suspensions for Energy Applications

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2019-ARDE-68678
Accurately modeling concentrated suspensions for a variety of industries has been difficult in the past because it requires trial and error. Engineers at Purdue University have developed a code to precisely calculate microscale geometric characteristics of particles for non-Brownian suspensions using an elastic-plastic mono-asperity model that considers surface roughness as asperities on a perfect sphere. The novel code can detect rise in relative viscosity as well as normal stress difference in rough non-Brownian suspensions. The computational model eliminates any need to grind particles or implement complex quantification methods for obtaining effective roughness. In addition, this automated approach successfully maximizes flow and volume fractions and for particles, leading to more cost efficient product design of technologies such as solar cells and thermal interface materials.

Advantages:
-Precise, removing need for trial and error
-Better product design, reducing cost of production
-First computational calculation of roughness characteristics in non-Brownian suspensions

Potential Applications:
-Solar cell electrodes and development
-Thermal interface materials
Nov 5, 2019
Copyright
United States
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Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization
The Convergence Center
101 Foundry Drive, Suite 2500
West Lafayette, IN 47906

Phone: (765) 588-3475
Fax: (765) 463-3486
Email: otcip@prf.org