Physics News

Lee Rannals for RedOrbit.com New research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) may have an impact in a range of industries, from engineering to pharmaceutical manufacturing. Ken Kamrin of MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering has created a model that predicts the flow of granular materials under a variety of conditions. Sand's behavior, which is part fluid, part solid, has made it difficult for researchers to predict how it and other granular materials flow under various conditions. Having a better model of how sand flows could help optimize processes like pharmaceutical manufacturing and grain production. When making pills, grains pour through industrial chutes and silos in great quantities, which can lead to blockages that can be costly and dangerous. Now, Kamrin's model is able to make predictions of where grains will flow, whether through chutes or in a circular trough, in a near-perfect match with actual results. "This kind of versatility could enhance the modeling of soil and debris