Benjamin L. Severson1, Leon M. Keer2, Julio M. Ottino1, and Randall Q. Snurr1. (1) Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Tech E133 2145 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60208, (2) Civil Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60208
Mechanical damping of impact, vibration, or other forces is important to a wide range of mechanical systems to protect them against shock, fatigue, or other damage. We are designing a novel class of damping device using nano-particles as the damping medium. Currently, most damping devices use either a hydraulic or mechanical damping mechanism. A particle based damper will have essentially temperature independent performance, giving it an advantage in many applications over the traditional hydraulic damper. Yet, the nano-particle system should have greater longevity than the mechanical systems, which can fatigue through intense usage. Particle dynamics simulations of the nano-particles are proving to be an effective method to investigate how and which particle properties influence their ability to dissipate mechanical motion. Inter-particle friction and adhesion are shown to be important to the damping mechanism. Geometries mimicking both thrust and shear damping are being simulated.