CDG Prize awarded for research of particulate flows
November 2, 2021
Professor Stefan Pirker, an expert in flow simulations at Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria, who also heads the Christian-Doppler laboratory on campus with which the Plansee Group, Reutte, is a close collaborator, has received the CDG Prize for Research and Innovation from the Christian Doppler Research Association (Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft; or, CDG).
Pirker and his team develop digital models which can be used to calculate and observe various flows, as well as the flow characteristics of the smallest particles in real time. These models are used for a wide variety of purposes globally: NASA uses these to research the motion of its Mars rover Curiosity, while researchers in Florida, USA, calculate drift flows in the ocean. Utrecht University, the Netherlands, models the spread of viruses among people in motion, and Plansee researches and improves the flowability of metal powders.
“Prof Pirker closely examined the flow characteristics of our metal powders in his CD laboratory in order to model the particulate flows,” stated Dr Arno Plankensteiner, who is responsible for research and development at Plansee. “His findings were vital as they enabled us to continue to improve the quality of our sintered products.”
