Visit the ESI Group web site

Modelling software to adapt to space demands

A DEM Solutions product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 18, 2006

DEM Solutions is working with NASA to develop a new modelling capability which adds electrostatic forces to the particle dynamic modelling capability of its core EDEM software suite.

DEM Solutions has been selected to team with scientists and engineers from NASA to develop a new modelling capability which adds electrostatic forces to the particle dynamic modelling capability already available within its core EDEM software suite.

DEM Solutions will develop the models and software while NASA will provide the laboratory data and perform the model verification.

According to Dr Carlos Calle, Director of the Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory at NASA's Kennedy Space centre: "The expansion of the DEM technique to incorporate particle-particle and particle-surface electrostatic interactions will benefit the Exploration Mission Directorate by providing NASA with a powerful tool in the current development of the dust mitigation and characterisation technologies which are underway at the Electrostatics and Surface Physics laboratory at KSC.

Optimisation of the KSC Dust Shield requires the ability to model dust particle behaviour in the presence of complex electrodynamic fields".

"Mature dust mitigation technologies are essential for the safe operation of a lunar spaceport".

"Apollo astronauts reported that dust even degraded zippers and pulleys".

"DEM Solutions was selected because we wanted to build on off-the-shelf software and the user-friendliness and range of capabilities already available in the EDEM code made it attractive".

"In addition, the experience of the staff at DEM Solutions in modelling particulate systems in space applications gave us the confidence that they will be a strong partner on the project".

Dr Peter Weitzman, Vice President of DEM Solutions (USA), added: "We are delighted to be selected to help NASA in design of equipment for space exploration".

"We also expect that the technology developed in this project will allow us to better serve the needs of our commercial clients who need to include electromagnetic effects in modelling of particulate solids handling and processing operations".

EDEM is state-of-the-art DEM (discrete element method) modelling software uniquely designed to couple with other CAE tools and user-defined numerical models including fluid dynamics, electrical and magnetic forces, chemical kinetics and rigid body dynamics.

Not what you're looking for? Search the site.

Back to top Back to top

Google Ads

 

Contact DEM Solutions

Related Stories

Contact DEM Solutions

 

Newsletter sign up

Request your free weekly copy of the Engineeringtalk email newsletter ...

Visit the ESI Group web site

Articles by product category

All suppliers A - Z

A Pro-talk Publication

A Pro-talk publication