Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Its Engineering Applications
A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Particle Processes".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2026 | Viewed by 12
Special Issue Editor
Interests: granular flow; multiphase flow; heat/mass transfer; process intensification; discrete element method (DEM); computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Granular materials are ubiquitous in a variety of industries. Owing to the discrete nature of their component particles and the dissipative characteristics of particle interactions, granular materials can exhibit intricate flow and mechanical behaviors. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the complex macroscopic dynamic response characteristics and the underlying mechanisms is crucial for the optimal design and safe operation of devices that handle granular materials.
With the rapid advancement of computational capabilities and parallel algorithms, the discrete element method (DEM) has been extensively utilized across a range of industries to explore both fundamental and engineering issues related to granular materials. The strength of DEM lies in its capacity to elucidate the complex macroscopic response of granular assembles from a particle-scale perspective by directly incorporating particle properties. Despite its widespread adoption in both fundamental and engineering research communities, DEM simulations still face challenges, such as computational efficiency, contact force models, and the representation of real particle morphology.
This Special Issue aims to publish original scientific research and review articles devoted to the development of DEM and its application in simulating engineering processes. The list of topics given below provides a summary of this Issue. The list is illustrative, and the contributions are not restricted to these topics:
- Models and algorithms;
- Integration of DEM with other methodologies;
- Rheology of Granular flows;
- Mixing, packing, and transportation of granules.
Prof. Dr. Xiaoxing Liu
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- discrete element method (DEM)
- granular materials
- particle-scale mechanics
- contact force models
- particle morphology
- DEM development
- engineering processes
- multiscale modeling
- granular rheology
- particle mixing
- particle packing
- particle transportation
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
