DEM Solutions (Lebanon, NH), a provider of discrete element modeling (DEM) software, will collaborate with scientists and engineers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC electrostatics laboratory) to add new modeling capabilities to DEM Solutions' EDEM software. EDEM is an advanced DEM (discrete element method) software used for the simulation, analysis, and visualization of particulate solids handling and processing operations in a range of industries. EDEM lets engineers model the complex behavior of industrial particulate processes and obtain high-resolution information on bulk particle flow and interactions with equipment and surrounding media. It is used to evaluate and improve particle handling equipment and process design through testing of virtual prototypes. The new modeling capabilities in this contract will help to meet NASA's advanced modeling needs in the area of particle electrostatics and interactions with electric and magnetic fields as well as handling and processing of lunar regolith, contributing to programs formed to model the unique physical and electrostatic characteristics of lunar and martian dust and rock (regolith) in the design of new technologies for dust mitigation, excavation, handling and processing of granular material under low gravity conditions. Under a previous contract, DEM Solutions engineers successfully teamed with the Electrostatics and Surface Physics laboratory at the KSC to develop advanced electrostatic models in EDEM for simulation of tribocharging of particles in contact with charged surfaces. For additional information, go to DEM Solutions. Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.
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