Insights from the topological and geometric analysis of porous and granular materials

14^th May 2019, 13:00 ELT, Electrical Engineering and Electronics Building
Dr Vanessa Robins
Department of Applied MathematicsAustralian National University

Abstract

The physical properties of porous and granular materials critically depend on the topological and geometric details of the material micro-structure. For example, the way water flows through sandstone depends on the connectivity and diameters of its pores, and the balance of forces in a grain silo on the contacts between individual grains. My work with the x-ray micro-CT group at ANU has produced topologically valid and efficient algorithms for studying and quantifying the intricate structure of complex porous materials. We have shown that measures such as the Minkowski functionals and persistent homology give clear signatures of crystallisation in bead packs, the degree of consolidation in granular materials, and correlate to physical properties such as fluid permeability and non-wetting phase trapping capacity in sandstones.

Part of the Women in Technology Series. Tickets are free but must be pre booked through the following Eventbrite Link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-in-technology-lecture-series-dr-vanessa-robin-tickets-60193386038