University Park, Pa. --- Penn State engineers have developed a new simpler computer simulation for ultrafine particle size growth and distribution that is potentially applicable to processes ranging from powdered milk production to ceramic membrane development to air pollution control.

Dr. Themis Matsoukas, assistant professor of chemical engineering and leader of the project, says the new simulation is not only simpler than the others available, but is also fast, accurate and uses only modest amounts of computing power.

Matsoukas and his research group are using the simulation to understand the grouping and breakup processes that ultrafine titanium dioxide particles undergo before they reach their final size. Formation of ultrafine, nanometer-sized titanium dioxide particles, about the size of a virus, is characterized by rapid aggregation of large particle groups followed by slow breakup of these groups. The breakup or de-aggregation can take hours or days depending on the processing conditions.

The new simulation can accurately predict how the size and distribution of the particle groups occur over time. Some results from the simulation have already been confirmed and verified by comparison with experimental results.

"We haven't yet applied the simulation to other particulate materials. However, it could potentially be done for any powder of interest, powdered milk, for example. The simulation could also be used to model the formation and behavior of aerosols, sol/gel particle producing systems or even aggregates of pollutants in the atmosphere," says the Penn State researcher.

Matsoukas chose to model titanium dioxide nanoparticle formation because of current interest in using metal oxides in ceramic membranes for gas separation. The size of the particles is important to the activity of the membrane in this application and nanosize particles are difficult to obtain in non-aggregated form.

'"/>

Contact: Barbara Hale
bah@psu.edu
814-865-9481
Penn State
9-Feb-1999