Previous Issue
Volume 4, March
 
 

Powders, Volume 4, Issue 2 (June 2025) – 5 articles

  • Issues are regarded as officially published after their release is announced to the table of contents alert mailing list.
  • You may sign up for e-mail alerts to receive table of contents of newly released issues.
  • PDF is the official format for papers published in both, html and pdf forms. To view the papers in pdf format, click on the "PDF Full-text" link, and use the free Adobe Reader to open them.
Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
15 pages, 1289 KiB  
Article
The Particle Size to Modulate the Techno-Functional Properties of Fava Bean Pod Powder
by Abel I. Barrial-Lujan, María del Mar Camacho, Eva García-Martínez, Alberto Yuste and Nuria Martínez-Navarrete
Powders 2025, 4(2), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/powders4020014 - 15 May 2025
Viewed by 141
Abstract
Plant by-products are undervalued as they are an important source of nutrients and bioactive compounds with potential health benefits, which also contribute to aroma and color. Therefore, their use in human food is a challenging field of study that deserves to be explored. [...] Read more.
Plant by-products are undervalued as they are an important source of nutrients and bioactive compounds with potential health benefits, which also contribute to aroma and color. Therefore, their use in human food is a challenging field of study that deserves to be explored. This study proposes the conversion of fava bean pods into a powdered product as a high-quality, stable, and easy-to-handle food ingredient, thus contributing to the sustainability of the food industry within the framework of the circular economy. The powdered product was obtained by freeze-drying and grinding. As the particle size of powders is a determinant of their quality and functionality, some properties of two bean pod powder samples with mean particle sizes of 102.9 and 45.3 μm, obtained by sieving at 200 and 45 μm, respectively, are compared. The results obtained indicate good flowability of both powders. However, the sample with the largest size showed, in addition to a greener tone, lower interparticle porosity related to a better packing capacity, lower hygroscopicity, and much better wettability, along with its higher swelling capacity and water and oil retention capacity. Nevertheless, in this case, the extraction of proteins and phenols decreased by 18% and 25%, respectively, without compromising the total fiber content. Considering the use of fava bean pod powder as a versatile food ingredient, the largest size of those studied, 102.9 μm, is recommended. Only if the objective is to obtain a healthy food supplement would it be more desirable to grind it to a smaller particle size. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

38 pages, 39712 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Simulative Investigation of Deterministic Lateral Displacement and Dielectrophoresis Methods for Continuous Multi-Property Particle Sorting
by Jonathan Kottmeier, Maike Sophie Wullenweber, Zhen Liu, Ingo Kampen, Arno Kwade and Andreas Dietzel
Powders 2025, 4(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/powders4020013 - 13 May 2025
Viewed by 159
Abstract
Simulative and experimental studies were carried out to address multi-dimensional particle fractionation of non-biological particles according to size, shape, and density inside a high-throughput DLD array. Density sensitive separation was achieved for melamine and polystyrene particles at a diameter of 5 µm at [...] Read more.
Simulative and experimental studies were carried out to address multi-dimensional particle fractionation of non-biological particles according to size, shape, and density inside a high-throughput DLD array. Density sensitive separation was achieved for melamine and polystyrene particles at a diameter of 5 µm at a Reynolds number (Re) of 82, corresponding to an overall flow rate of 11.3 mL/min. This process is very sensitive, as no fractionation occurred for Re = 85 (11.7 mL/min). For the first time, the fractionation of elliptical polystyrene particles (5 × 10 µm) at Re > 1 was investigated up to Re = 80 (11 mL/min). A separation of elliptical particles from spherical melamine particles (5 µm) was observed in single experiments at all investigated Reynolds numbers. However, the separation is not reliably repeatable due to partial clogging of ellipsoidal particles along the posts. In addition, higher concentrations of polydisperse silica suspensions were experimentally investigated by using polydisperse silica particles at concentrations up to 0.4% (m/V) up to Re = 80 (20 mL/min). The separation size generally decreased with increasing Reynolds number and increased with increasing concentration. Separation efficiency decreased with increasing concentration, independent of the Reynolds number. In order to investigate the material-dependent separation in a contactless dielectrophoresis system (cDEP), the resolved CFD-DEM software was extended to calculate dielectrophoretic forces on particles. With this, the second stage of a serial-combined DLD-DEP system was simulated, showing good separation at lower flow rates. For these systems, different fabrication methods to minimize the distance between the electrodes and the fluid as well as the requirement to withstand high-throughput applications, were investigated. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 45297 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Particle-Discrete Datasets: Enabling Multidimensional Particle System Characterization Using X-Ray Tomography
by Ralf Ditscherlein and Urs A. Peuker
Powders 2025, 4(2), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/powders4020012 - 22 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 261
Abstract
This collection of studies, conducted within the framework of the DFG-funded Priority Program SPP 2045, explores the role of X-ray tomography in advancing the multidimensional characterization of particulate systems, with a strong focus on enhancing 3D particle-discrete data quality. It critically assesses the [...] Read more.
This collection of studies, conducted within the framework of the DFG-funded Priority Program SPP 2045, explores the role of X-ray tomography in advancing the multidimensional characterization of particulate systems, with a strong focus on enhancing 3D particle-discrete data quality. It critically assesses the limitations of traditional particle characterization methods, particularly those reliant on imaging techniques, and demonstrates how advanced methodologies can overcome these constraints by providing highly detailed and accurate geometric and structural 3D data. The research further introduces innovative sample preparation techniques for particle collectives, aiming to reduce post-processing efforts in image analysis. Additionally, the development of a particle database, aligned with FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable), supports data sharing and collaborative research. Ultimately, this collection underscores the transformative potential of 3D particle-discrete datasets acquired through X-ray tomography in advancing particle technology and improving particle system analyses across diverse scientific and industrial fields. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

30 pages, 5651 KiB  
Article
Centrifugal Differential Mobility Analysis—Validation and First Two-Dimensional Measurements
by Torben Norbert Rüther, Sebastian Gröne, Christopher Dechert and Hans-Joachim Schmid
Powders 2025, 4(2), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/powders4020011 - 2 Apr 2025
Viewed by 229
Abstract
To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the specific properties of complex-shaped technical aerosols—such as partially sintered aggregates formed in combustion processes or structured particles resulting from complex synthesis processes—it is essential to measure more than a single equivalent size. This study examines [...] Read more.
To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the specific properties of complex-shaped technical aerosols—such as partially sintered aggregates formed in combustion processes or structured particles resulting from complex synthesis processes—it is essential to measure more than a single equivalent size. This study examines a novel method for determining a two-dimensional distribution of two distinct particle properties within the size range from 50nm to 1000nm: the Centrifugal Differential Mobility Analyzer (CDMA). The CDMA enables the simultaneous measurement of both mobility and Stokes equivalent diameters, providing a detailed two-dimensional particle property distribution. This, in turn, allows for the extraction of shape-related information, which is essential for characterizing particles in terms of their chemical composition, reactivity, and other physicochemical properties. This paper presents a detailed evaluation of a first CDMA prototype. First, CFD simulations of the flow field within the classifier are presented in order to assess and understand non-idealities arising from the exact geometry. Subsequently, the transfer function is evaluated by particle trajectory calculations based on the simulated flow field. It can be demonstrated that the simulated transfer functions agree quite well with transfer functions derived from streamlines of an ideal flow field, indicating that the non-idealities in the classifying region are almost negligible in their effect on the classification result. An experimental determination of the transfer function shows additional effects not covered by the previous simulations, like broadening by diffusion and losses due to diffusion and precipitation within the in- and outlet of the classifier. Finally, the determined transfer functions are used to determine the full two-dimensional distribution with regard to the mobility and Stokes equivalent diameter of real aerosols, like spherical particles and aggregates at different sintering stages, respectively. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3853 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Mechanical Performance of Soil Solidification and Examination of Compatibility as Semi-Permanent House Material for Forcibly Displaced People
by Dayoung Oh, Takafumi Noguchi and Ryoma Kitagaki
Powders 2025, 4(2), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/powders4020010 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 184
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the suitability of earthen housing for refugees and establish a more efficient system for selecting and adjusting materials by quantitatively analyzing the influence of various factors affecting the mechanical performance of earthen housing. This paper examined the impact [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the suitability of earthen housing for refugees and establish a more efficient system for selecting and adjusting materials by quantitatively analyzing the influence of various factors affecting the mechanical performance of earthen housing. This paper examined the impact of dry unit weight, particle size distribution of soil solidification, clay minerals, and pH on the mechanical performance of soil solidification through compressive strength testing. Additionally, the tensile strength resulting from capillary forces between particles was estimated using a prediction equation, and the effects of capillary forces and cohesive forces due to clay minerals were quantitatively assessed by comparing them with the results of the compressive strength experiments. In an alkaline environment, conflicting results were obtained regarding the effect of the dispersion of particles on compressive strength, depending on the presence or absence of clay minerals in the soil. Based on these results, the implementation of earthen houses constructed in the target refugee camp was evaluated, and strategies for building houses more efficiently under given conditions were discussed. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Previous Issue
Back to TopTop