Nanoparticle Transport and Fluidization

Nanoparticles have unique flow properties that make them useful for numerous applications. Several publications have recently demonstrated that silica nanoparticles can be fluidized without the formation of bubbles. This property eliminates the major disadvantage of fluidized beds, formation of large bubbles that causes gas bypassing and hence poor reaction. Nanoparticles suspended in air also appear to have a large random kinetic energy that leads to large dispersion coefficients. Nano particles offer new possibilities for thousands of materials that already exist. This could be a major reason for gradual movement of nanotechnology from lab to the marketplace. The aim of this session is to highlight the recent findings and new approaches on the transport of nanoparticles and fluidization, and how information obtained at nanoscale may lead to improve and enhance product performance.