Granular Materials

Granular materials are collections of small, discrete particles, like sand, grains, or pellets. They exhibit unique behaviors, often transitioning between solid-like and fluid-like states depending on how they are packed or how forces are applied. This is because, unlike liquids or gases, their individual particles maintain their shape and can interact in complex ways, leading to phenomena such as jamming, clustering, or flow. Studying granular materials helps in understanding various natural processes and engineering applications, such as how to efficiently store bulk materials or improve construction techniques.