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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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SCHOOL OF EARTH AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
EAS Ph.D. Defense
Joshua Mendez
June 20, 2017
2:00 PM
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Ford Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T)311 Ferst Drive, ES&T Atlanta, GA 30332-0340
Web: eas.gatech.edu
ES&T Room L1114
Title: Granular electrification on Earth and other worlds
Committee members: Dr. Dufek, Dr. Newman, Dr. Peng,Dr. Steffes(ECE), Dr. Ferrier
Abstract: When mobilized granular substances become electrostatically charged as constituent grains undergo collisions, as particles fracture, or through induction processes associated with external electric fields. In man made settings, such charging may lead to problems during the transport of agricultural or pharmaceutical substances. In natural contexts perhaps the most dramatic demonstration of electrostatic processes in granular flows are the energetic displays of lightning that often accompany large volcanic eruptions. In this work, we explore the microphysics that leads to charging in a broad range of environments, both on Earth and other worlds. We find that granular electrostatic processes are sensitive to a wide range of parameters, including particle chemistry, environmental conditions, and hydrodynamics. The first section of this work deals with charging in volcanic plumes, while the second addresses granular electrification on Titan and exoplanet GJ1214b.
