[en] In microgravity, the gathering of granular material can be achieved by a dynamical clustering whose existence depends on the geometry of the cell that contains the particles and the energy that is injected into the system. By compartmentalizing the cell in several subcells of smaller volume, local clustering is triggered and the so formed dense regions act as stable traps. In this paper, molecular dynamics simulations were performed in order to reproduce the phenomenon and to analyze the formation and the stability of such traps. Depending on the total number N of particles present in the whole system, several clustering modes are encountered and a corresponding bifurcation diagram is presented. Moreover, an iterative model based on the measured particle flux F as well as a theoretical model giving the asymptotical steady states are used to validate our results. The obtained results are promising and can provide ways to manipulate grains in microgravity.
Disciplines :
Physics
Author, co-author :
Opsomer, Eric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Physique statistique
Noirhomme, Martial ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Optofluidique
Vandewalle, Nicolas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Physique statistique
Ludewig, François ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Physique statistique
Language :
English
Title :
How dynamical clustering triggers Maxwell's demon in microgravity
Publication date :
10 July 2013
Journal title :
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
ISSN :
1539-3755
eISSN :
1550-2376
Publisher :
American Physical Society, College Park, United States - Maryland
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