Scientists from the USA have discovered a way to predict the behavior of granular materials, ranging from sand to coffee stakes.
A breakthrough method developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) now allows for detailed 3D experiments on granular materials. This development surpasses the limitations of traditional two-dimensional experiments, providing insights into how forces propagate through granular materials and how the shape of grains impacts material behavior. The findings from this study could enhance understanding of landslides’ causes and improve management of granular material flows in industrial settings.
The experts have innovated a visualization method to observe stresses in granular materials under different loads within a fully three-dimensional system. This method captures the actual behavior of materials more accurately than ever before.
In this study, researchers used photo-responsive granules, which alter light transmission based on stress levels, resulting in varying colors and brightness. By employing a combination of photo-illumination for structural scanning and a technique similar to computed tomography, researchers reconstructed a complete 3D image from 2400 2D images taken while the object rotated 360 degrees.
The experiment highlights that irregular, angular grains create more robust and stable materials compared to spherical grains. While this observation has been noted in practice, the new method now elucidates the precise reasons behind this phenomenon based on force distribution. This advancement opens avenues for exploring different granular types to determine crucial characteristics for constructing stable structures.
Furthermore, the newfound method’s applicability extends to various fields, such as studying how caviar behaves in water when fish swim or aiding in the design of adaptable robotic grippers capable of capturing objects of diverse shapes.