Role of colloid and surface chemistry in papermaking unit operations remains the main area of interest. This research involves analysis of various transport processes occurring in multi-particle systems. These include fluid flow and axial dispersion within packed beds, attenuation of sound waves through suspensions, and vibration potentials associated with sound propagation through colloidal suspensions. Currently, work involves development of on-line and laboratory sensor systems for characterization of industrial suspensions, emulsions, and aerosols. Issues of online monitoring of particle size and shape are addressed.
Several projects are active in the acoustic sensors area.
Applications of neural nets for intelligent sensor design are also underway. Recent work has culminated in two commercial laboratory instruments for particle analysis in concentrated suspensions. Associated development of a novel Ultrasonic Slurry Characterization Chamber has given rise to a new microenterprise business in Maine. H.P. Pendse, T. C. Bliss, and W. Han, Particle Shape Effects and Active Ultrasonic Spectroscopy, in Ultrasonic And Dielectric Characterization Techniques , Eds. A. Sharma and H.P. Pendse, Ultrasonic Spectroscopy Measurement System for On-line Sensing of Concentrated Particulate Suspensions, in Ultrasonic And Dielectric Characterization Techniques , Eds.