Physical properties of particle agglomerates with respects to the planet formation process

• Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Jürgen Blum; Professor Dr. Wilhelm Kley (†)
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Astrophysik und Astronomie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2011 bis 2015
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 196513527

Within this project we plan to determine the material properties of porous dust agglomerates consisting of μm-sized particles, which are believed to be the starting material of planet formation in protoplanetary disks. The approach will be two-fold: Firstly, we will perform ab initio numerical simulations of agglomerates using a Discrete Element Method applying physically motivated force laws to describe individual particle-particle interactions. To accelerate the simulations, we will adapt the algorithms to modern GPU architectures, which will allow us to use 105 to 106 particles, thus bridging the gap towards a continuum model. Secondly, we will conduct special purpose laboratory experiments of agglomerate-agglomerate interactions which will allow us to measure the cluster properties. Using this two-fold approach will allow us to determine the material properties and outcome of mutual collisions of dust agglomerates in the very initial phase of planet formation.

• DFG-Verfahren: Sachbeihilfen
• Beteiligte Person: Privatdozent Dr. Roland Speith