Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Michigan received a $650,000 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Materials Research under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), effective August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2029. The award funds research to advance understanding of how particle shape affects the packing, flow, and fracture properties of faceted granular materials—particles with flat faces, sharp edges, and corners commonly used in energy and critical minerals processing. The project employs both experimental and computational approaches to establish relationships between packing structure, preparation history, and mechanical properties, with the goal of identifying methods to reconfigure these assemblies toward targeted properties relevant to critical mineral processing, energy storage, advanced manufacturing, and adaptive mechanical metamaterials.

The research deliverables include empirical and computational validation of two primary hypotheses: (1) that jamming thresholds and scaling laws for elastic properties can be predicted using graph-based descriptors enriched by particle orientations, shapes, and contact types; and (2) that material properties can be reconfigured through combined cyclic loading and vibration manipulation of contact statistics. The project also develops laboratory-scale advanced imaging tools to bring capabilities typically available only at national facilities into university research environments. Additionally, the award supports workforce development through training of graduate and undergraduate students and public engagement activities at the University of Michigan's Mechanical Engineering Open House.