Packing grains by thermally cycling

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that thermal cycling can systematically increase the packing density of granular materials, revealing a new mechanism for grain dynamics beyond traditional mechanical methods.

Contribution

It introduces thermal cycling as a novel, controllable method to enhance granular packing, expanding understanding of grain behavior without mechanical agitation.

Findings

Thermal cycling increases packing density of grains.

Thermal process offers a new mechanism for grain dynamics.

Practical implications for handling and storage of granular materials.

Abstract

One of the oldest and most intriguing problems in the handling of materials is how a collection of solid grains packs together. While granular packing is normally determined by how grains are poured or shaken, we find that a systematic and controllable increase in packing is induced by simply raising and lowering the temperature, e.g., without the input of mechanical energy. The results demonstrate that thermal processing provides a largely unexplored mechanism of grain dynamics, as well as an important practical consideration in the handling and storage of granular materials.