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Pattern formation in a rotating suspension of non-Brownian settling particles
W R Matson1, B J Ackerson, P Tong
1Department of Physics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA.
Abstract:
We report band formation and other pattern formation for a settling suspension of uniform non-Brownian particles in a completely filled horizontal rotating cylinder. The system shows a series of sharp pattern changes that are mapped out as a function of the rotation period and suspension viscosity. The experiment suggests that a large number of patterns and rich dynamics result from the interplay among the viscous drag, and gravitational and centrifugal forces.
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