Title: Building Granular Towers One Drop at a Time

Author (Poster): Julien Chopin, Clark University

Abstract:

I will present the growth of striking granular structures by pouring a dense suspension of grains on a liquid absorbing surface such as blotting paper or a dry granular bed. The same suspension poured on a solid substrate will spread like an effective viscous fluid or form a pile with an angle of repose. However, an absorbing substrate can have a tremendous effect on their spreading because it can quickly drain the liquid from the suspension, rapidly causing the solidification of the structure. This solidification time and the flow rate are the main main parameters controlling the shape of the structures. In a dripping regime, surprisingly slender structures that we called granular towers can be grown. We show that varying the control parameters a rich array of delicate structures are obtained. Interesting dynamics at higher flow rate (jetting regime) will also be presented.

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