My expertise is in powder handling and processing, including mixing/segregation, powder flowability, breakage and coating, using experimental and numerical (Discrete Element Method particle simulation) approaches.
My research aims to discover fundamental relationships between material properties, process conditions and product performance, in powder-based manufacturing processes. This is typically developed at lab-scale, often supplemented by Discrete Element Method (DEM) particle simulations to aid with process understanding. Developed relationships can be used to determine better ingredient combinations for formulations, or process operation improvements to improve efficiency and product quality. For example, we have a lab-scale particle segregation analyser, which predicts mixing and segregation rate under different operational conditions. Our simulations of this system provide a model to predict mixing time required for a given formulation, based on measurable particle properties.