Title: Experimentally validated numerical modeling of tribocharging in pharmaceutical powders

Author (Invited): Bodhi Chaudhuri, University of Connecticut

Abstract:

Electrostatic charging via tribocharging refers to the process of charging of two solid surfaces brought into contact and separated. In pharmaceutical processes, particle charging is often a nuisance and can cause problems during manufacturing such as poor powder flow, jamming, segregation, dose inhomogeneity and even dust explosion. In this project, systematic experiments and multi-scale (quantum, particle, device scale) numerical models are performed to develop a unified theory of the relation of particle size, work function difference, and surface water adsorption to the electrostatic charging and flow behavior in granular materials. This is vital to better understand the fundamentals of granular tribocharging and apply the derived rules to better design and optimize the powder handling equipment used in pharmaceutical industry.