Unprecedented X-ray imaging reveals the intricate swirling patterns guiding the movement of sand and snow

In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of researchers has successfully captured hidden swirls beneath landslides and granular materials for the first time. This breakthrough, published in the journal Nature Communications, could transform our understanding of avalanches, landslides, and everyday powders like flour, wheat, or medicine.

The discovery was made possible through a new X-ray imaging method, part of a setup named DynamiX. To look inside the moving pile without disturbing the grains, they used a technique called X-ray rheography. This method allowed scientists to observe the three-dimensional movement of grains within a flowing pile, providing direct evidence of secondary flows in granular materials.

Secondary flows, which subtly shape how far and fast a landslide travels, were thought to exist but proving them experimentally was nearly impossible due to the difficulties in stopping the grains for X-ray scans without freezing the motion. The researchers overcame this challenge by designing a bulldozing experiment using a conveyor-belt in a flume filled with three-millimeter glass beads.

Although the study was conducted on glass beads in a controlled setup, not real snow or rocky landslides, the full three-dimensional picture of the flows is not yet complete. The team acknowledges that more research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings in real-world scenarios.

The discovery could have significant implications for safety models in industries dealing with powders and granular materials, such as mining, construction, and pharmaceuticals. Ignoring secondary flows in models of landslides or avalanches might underestimate how far debris can travel, potentially helping engineers design better predictions and safety measures.

Furthermore, the findings could also have implications in various other industries, ranging from pharmaceuticals to agriculture, where countless processes rely on moving powders or grains. For instance, understanding the behaviour of secondary flows in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes could lead to improved drug production methods, ensuring a more consistent and reliable product.

The hidden swirls, called secondary flows, were long suspected but never directly observed in real materials. The first images from this setup revealed faint ripples on the surface of the pile, which were linked to real sideways motions beneath the surface for the first time. This discovery could transform our understanding of these phenomena, potentially leading to safer and more efficient processes in various industries.

However, it is important to note that the development of the new X-ray capture method that detects invisible wave currents under sand and snow falls is not detailed in the study's results. Further research will be necessary to understand the underlying technology and its potential applications.

In conclusion, this study represents a significant step forward in our understanding of granular materials and their behaviour in various scenarios. The discovery of secondary flows could have far-reaching implications for industries ranging from mining to pharmaceuticals, and could potentially lead to improved safety measures and more efficient processes.

Unprecedented X-ray imaging reveals the intricate swirling patterns guiding the movement of sand and snow