Multi-objective exploration of a granular matter design space

Abstract

Granular materials, such as sands, grains, soils and powders are central to many industrial processes from mining and food production to pharmaceuticals and construction. These materials display many interesting properties, including their ability to flow like a liquid at low densities and jam in to a solid state at high densities. However, controlling the microscopic properties of granular media to elicit bespoke functional granular systems remains challenging due to the complex relationship between the individual particle morphologies and the related emergent behaviour of the bulk state. Here, we investigate the use of evolution to explore the functional landscapes of granular systems. We employ a superellipsoid representation of the particle shape, and examine a range of bi-disperse systems of prolate particles. Results show the ability to determine optimal particle morphologies and trade-offs for density and two different structural order measures. This represents an important further step towards the creation of bespoke jammed systems with a range of practical applications across broad swathes of industry.