Date Time
Scientists crack ‘the Brazil-nut’ puzzle, how do largest nuts rise to top?
Scientists have for the first time captured the complex dynamics of particle movement in granular materials, helping to explain why mixed nuts often see the larger Brazil nuts gather at the top. The findings could have vital impact on industries struggling with the phenomenon, such as pharmaceuticals and mining.
Many people will have the experience of dipping their hands into a bag of mixed nuts only to find the Brazil nuts at the top. This effect can also be readily observed with cereal boxes, with the larger items rising to the top. Colloquially, this phenomenon of particles segregating by their size is known as the ‘Brazil-nut effect’ and also has huge implications for industries where uneven mixing can critically degrade product quality.
Scientists crack 'the Brazil-nut' puzzle, how do the largest nuts rise to the top? eurekalert.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eurekalert.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Researchers Figure Out "Brazil Nut Effect" in Mixed Particles powderbulksolids.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from powderbulksolids.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Scientists figure out why Brazil nuts always rise to top of grain pile
By (0)
Among nuts in a pile, or in a bag, Brazil nuts tend to end up at the top over time and researchers have finally figured out that their shape is what helps them climb the pile. Photo courtesy of Max Pixel
April 19 (UPI) If you re not a fan of Brazil nuts, the initial handful from a bag of mixed nuts can be frustrating. While it may not be a consolation to frustrated snackers, scientists have finally figured out why Brazil nuts and other large nuts rise to the top.
NXCT’s home-built energy sensitive X-ray CT scanner ‘The Colour Bay’, one of the walk-in bays dedicated to in-situ and complex experiments, based at the Henry Royce Institute Diamond Light Source has joined a new partnership to help researchers carry out experiments using X-ray computed tomography, a non-destructive technique to construct 3D scientific images.
National X-ray Computed Tomography (NXCT) is the National Research Facility for lab-based X-ray computed tomography providing 3D imaging facilities and data analysis, research knowledge and technical experience. NXCT is a £10m investment from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in capital and recurrent funding to support research in the UK. It brings together world-leading capability in lab-based X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) from the universities of Manchester, Southampton, Warwick, University College London and Diamond Light Source. The NXCT f