Applied & fundamental research on Particle Technology
Research at APTLab spans over several topics:
- physics and mechanics of granular flows, with a particular focus on dense flow regime
- modeling of the dense granular flows (FEM, DEM)
- flowability characterization
- hoppers optimization and design for flow
- mixing process
- mixer scale-up
- powder sampling
- mixture quality evaluation
- segregation phenomena
- understanding segregation mechanisms
- mitigation strategies
- wet granulation
- use of alternative binders/excipients
- rheology of wet bulk
- characterization of powder wettability
- multiphase flows (gas-solid flows; wet granular materials)
- reconstitution enhancement of dry powders
- modeling of drying processes
- rheology of wet bulk
- image and texture analysis
- for mixture quality assessment
- for particle size analysis
This topics are explored by integrating, whenever possible, different approaches (experimental, theoretical and numerical).
Ongoing projects
- Modeling of powder segregation through a multiscale continumm approach (self-funded project)
- Mixing kinetics and segregation in double cone mixers (self-funded project)
- A multiscale approach to wall friction (self-funded project in collaboration with R. Artoni, IFSSTAR (France) and J. Smid National Central University, Department of Mechanical Engineering (Taiwan)
- Improved rehydration of dry vegetable soups (academic funding)
- Scale-up of horizontal shaft mixers (industrial funding)
- Drying of soya beans (industrial funding)