Directorate for Engineering

This paper presents an overview of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES), a Major Research Equipment project for the National Science Foundation, which has been authorized by the Congress of the United States for a total funding of $81.9 million between October 1, 1999 and September 30, 2004.

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Water Treatment Biological Applications Gas Separation and Additional Applications

ABSTRACT Because of its complexity, participate and multiphase processing was treated mostly with empiricism in the past decades, while other areas as such as single fluid and solid mechanics attracted most of the scientific attention and relative progress. Currently, we are witnessing a significant shift of fortune that offers an outstanding challenge and opportunity to the paniculate community. The methods of investigation for particulate and multiphase processes are rapidly moving from macroscopic (bulk) to microscopic and mesoscopic (particle-scale) analysis. The connection between the flow microstructure and macroscopic behavior is a central research issue, and can provide a rational approach for predictive methods and new design in various industrial processes. New concepts for particle use have emerged from basic understanding, as well as from various needs of new industries and environmental projects. Particulate processes have been introduced in areas such as advanced materials, microelectronics, bioprocessing, medicine, nanotechnology, spray forming, and coatings, because of the special capabilities and flexibility offered by particulates to engineer systems with control microstructures and properties. A fresh look at particle science and technology passing through a paradigm shift is the object of this paper. Research trends will be outlined, including particle generation and assembling, use of non-intrusive visualization techniques, and direct numerical simulation. Education should encompass not only the phenomenological aspects, but advanced mathematics, physics, chemistry, microstructural experiments, and numerical simulations. An increasing number of traditional particulate manufacturing processes are optimized from a science-based perspective, and even replaced by more complex, better controlled, high-tech processes. Use of particles in new technologies will be exemplified.