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

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Jürgen Blum; Professor Dr. Wilhelm Kley (†)
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 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 Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Privatdozent Dr. Roland Speith