Professor Rachel Smith (she/her)
BEng (Hons), PhD
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering
Professor of Particulate Manufacturing
School Research Impact Lead
+44 114 222 8255
Full contact details
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering
Room F55
Sir Robert Hadfield Building
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
- Profile
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I am Professor of Particulate Manufacturing in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield, where I lead a large, active manufacturing research group.
My research spans manufacture of lithium-ion battery electrodes, pharmaceuticals, agrichemicals and foods, and uses a wide range of modelling tools and experimental techniques.
My research strength is studying and quantifying dynamic inter-particle and particle-fluid interactions, and using this knowledge to develop insight, computational models, design tools and new processes for advanced manufacture of formulated products.
- Research interests
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I have active research projects spanning a wide range of industrial applications: wet and dry electrode manufacture for lithium-ion batteries, thin and thick film manufacture, physical systems pharmaceutical manufacturing, wet granulation, drying processes and food manufacturing.
Key research interests:
- New methods for dry electrode manufacture
- Measuring and controlling electrode microstructure generation
- Manufacturing processes for: lithium-ion electrodes, pharmaceutical manufacture, food processing and consumer products
- Particle and powder characterisation
- Experimental and computational techniques
- Publications
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Journal articles
- Probing carbon black deagglomeration in lithium-ion battery cathode manufacturing using powder resistivity metrics. Journal of Power Sources, 659. View this article in WRRO
- Undesired agglomeration in agitated filter dryers: A critical review. Powder Technology, 466. View this article in WRRO
- Quality by digital design to accelerate sustainable medicines development. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 681. View this article in WRRO
- Spherical agglomeration for local control of electrode microstructure: Generation of structured agglomerates. Powder Technology, 454. View this article in WRRO
- High-resolution X-ray mapping of fluorinated binders in lithium-ion battery electrodes. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 128(49). View this article in WRRO
- Corrigendum to “Mechanistic modeling of twin screw wet granulation for pharmaceutical formulations: Calibration, sensitivity analysis, and model-driven workflow” [Int. J. Pharm. 659 (2024) 124246]. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 664, 124624-124624.
- Spherical agglomeration kinetics: a mechanistic approach. Powder Technology, 445. View this article in WRRO
- Mechanistic modeling of twin screw wet granulation for pharmaceutical formulations: Calibration, sensitivity analysis, and model-driven workflow. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 659. View this article in WRRO
- Editorial: Dry powder coating in manufacturing processes. Frontiers in Chemical Engineering, 6. View this article in WRRO
- Integrated continuous process design for crystallisation, spherical agglomeration, and filtration of lovastatin. Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation, 19. View this article in WRRO
- Effect of carbon blacks on electrical conduction and conductive binder domain of next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 592. View this article in WRRO
- Co, Ni-free ultrathick free-standing dry electrodes for sustainable lithium-ion batteries. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 6(24), 12166-12171. View this article in WRRO
- True bridging liquid-solid ratio (TBSR): Redefining a critical process parameter in spherical agglomeration. Powder Technology, 430. View this article in WRRO
- Microstructure of conductive binder domain for electrical conduction in next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries. Energy Technology, 11(10). View this article in WRRO
- Numerical design of microporous carbon binder domains phase in composite cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 15(23), 27809-27820. View this article in WRRO
- Discrete element method and electrochemical modelling of lithium ion cathode structures characterised by X-ray computed tomography. Chemical Engineering Journal, 465. View this article in WRRO
- Status and outlook for lithium-ion battery cathode material synthesis and the application of mechanistic modeling. Journal of Physics: Energy, 5(2). View this article in WRRO
- Controlling simonkolleite crystallisation via metallic Zn oxidation in a betaine hydrochloride solution. Nanoscale Advances, 5(9), 2437-2452. View this article in WRRO
- Mechanistic modelling of spherical agglomeration processes. Powder Technology, 417.
- A novel oblique impact model for unified particle breakage master curve. Chemical Engineering Science, 268, 118397-118397.
- Roadmap on Li-ion battery manufacturing research. Journal of Physics: Energy, 4(4). View this article in WRRO
- Carbon binder domain networks and electrical conductivity in lithium-ion battery electrodes : a critical review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 166. View this article in WRRO
- Discrete element method (DEM) analysis of lithium ion battery electrode structures from X-ray tomography-the effect of calendering conditions. Powder Technology, 403. View this article in WRRO
- High-shear granulation : an investigation into granule breakage rates. Advanced Powder Technology, 32(5), 1390-1398. View this article in WRRO
- Characterisation of aluminium black dross before and after stepwise salt-phase dissolution in non-aqueous solvents. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 401. View this article in WRRO
- Formation and internal microstructure of granules from wetting and non-wetting efavirenz/iron oxide blends. Chemical Engineering Science, 227.
- Gas permeability, wettability and morphology of gas diffusion layers before and after performing a realistic ex-situ compression test. Renewable Energy, 151, 1082-1091. View this article in WRRO
- A new mathematical model for nucleation of spherical agglomerates by the immersion mechanism. Chemical Engineering Science: X, 4. View this article in WRRO
- WITHDRAWN: A new mathematical model for nucleation of spherical agglomerates by the immersion mechanism [withdrawn]. Chemical Engineering Science. View this article in WRRO
- High shear granulation: an investigation into the granule consolidation mechanism. Powder Technology, 355, 514-525. View this article in WRRO
- A novel method for the analysis of particle coating behaviour via contact spreading in a tumbling drum: Effect of coating liquid viscosity. Powder Technology, 351, 102-114. View this article in WRRO
- Kinetics of immersion nucleation driven by surface tension. Powder Technology, 335, 62-69.
- Particle design via spherical agglomeration: A critical review of controlling parameters, rate processes and modelling. Powder Technology, 326, 327-343.
- A review of pulsed flow fluidisation; the effects of intermittent gas flow on fluidised gas–solid bed behaviour. Powder Technology, 292, 108-121.
- Influence of Surface Wettability on Microbubble Formation. Langmuir, 32(5), 1269-1278.
- Distribution nucleation: Quantifying liquid distribution on the particle surface using the dimensionless particle coating number. Chemical Engineering Science, 92, 134-145.
- Examining the failure modes of wet granular materials using dynamic diametrical compression. Powder Technology, 224, 189-195.
- Examining the failure modes of wet granular materials using dynamic diametrical compression. Powder Technology.
- Breakage of drop nucleated granules in a breakage only high shear mixer. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE, 65(21), 5651-5657.
- Wet granule breakage in a breakage only high-hear mixer: Effect of formulation properties on breakage behaviour. POWDER TECHNOLOGY, 189(2), 158-164.
- Nucleation regime map for liquid bound granules. AICHE JOURNAL, 49(2), 350-361.
- Influence of Particle Size Distribution on the Performance of Ionic Liquid-based Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors.. Scientific Reports, 6. View this article in WRRO
Book chapters
- Granulation and Tabletting, Particle Technology Series (pp. 107-136). Springer International Publishing
- Production, Handling and Characterization of Particulate Materials In Merkus HG & Meesters GMH (Ed.) Springer International Publishing
- Wet Granulation and Mixing (pp. 153-182). Wiley
Conference proceedings
- Kinetics of immersion nucleation driven by surface tension.. 7th International Granulation Workshop. Sheffield, UK, 1 July 2015 - 3 July 2015.
- The effect of pipe diameter on hydrogen sulfide build-up in rising mains – model study. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Urban Drainage Modelling. Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec, Canada, 20 September 2015 - 20 September 2015. View this article in WRRO
- Predicting local shear in powder flow using DEM. 7th International Granulation Workshop. Sheffield, UK, 1 July 2015 - 3 July 2015.
- Bring It Down Slowly: Controlled Demolition of a Deteriorated Suspended-Concrete Ceiling above an Active Urban Highway. Structures Congress 2015 (pp 2044-2054)
- Prediction of particle liquid coverage in fluid bed granulation. 5th International Granulation Workshop. Lausanne, Switzerland, 20 June 2011 - 22 June 2011.
- Simulation of liquid binder distribution in fluidised bed granulation using the particle coating number. 5th International Granulation Workshop. Lausanne, Switzerland, 20 June 2011 - 22 June 2011.
- EXAMINING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA. 6TH INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON KINESIOLOGY: INTEGRATIVE POWER OF KINESIOLOGY (pp 73-76)
- Investigation of liquid distribution in fluidised bed granulation using a single particle surface coverage fraction. Chemeca. Adelaide, Australia, 26 September 2010 - 29 September 2010.
- Prediction of liquid coverage in fluid bed granulation. Chemeca. Adelaide, Australia, 26 September 2010 - 29 September 2010.
- Computational study of liquid
distribution in an air fluidised bed using a single particle surface coverage. 6th World Congress on Particle Technology. Nuremberg, Germany, 26 April 2010 - 29 April 2010.
- Breakage of drop nucleated granules in a breakage only high shear mixer. 9th International Symposium on Agglomeration. Sheffield, UK, 24 June 2009 - 26 June 2009.
- Diametrical compression of wet granular materials. 9th International Symposium on Agglomeration. Sheffield, UK, 24 June 2009 - 26 June 2009.
- CLINICAL PHARMACOKINETICS OF FAZADINIUM BROMIDE IN RENAL-FAILURE IN MAN. ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA, Vol. 59(7) (pp 529-530)
- Numerical investigation of liquid binder distribution in fluidized bed granulation using the single particle spray flux. Particulate Processes in the Pharmaceutical Industry III. Gold Coast, Australia, 24 July 2011 - 29 July 2011.
- Wet granule breakage in the breakage only granulator. International Fine Particles Research Institute Meeting. Perth, Australia, 8 July 2007 - 11 July 2007.
- Studies of wet granule breakage in a laboratory scale breakage only granulator. PARTEC. Nuremberg, Germany, 27 March 2007 - 29 March 2007.
- Wet granule breakage in high shear mixer granulation. Fifth World Congress on Particle Technology. Florida USA, 23 April 2006 - 27 April 2006.
- Dynamic mechanical properties of partially saturated granules. Fifth World Congress on Particle Technology. Florida USA, 23 April 2006 - 27 April 2006.
- Wet granule breakage in pharmaceutical granulators. Particle Science Summer School in Winter. Florida USA, January 2003 - January 2003.
- Mechanical dispersion regime in high shear mixer granulators. 6th World Congress on Chemical Engineering. Sydney, Australia, 23 September 2001 - 27 September 2001.
Presentations
- A novel method for the analysis of particle coating behaviour via contact spreading in a tumbling drum. AIChE Annual Meeting 2016.
- An investigation into growth of non-wetting system in high shear granulation. AIChE Annual Meeting 2016.
- A novel method for the analysis of particle coating behaviour via contact spreading in a tumbling drum. Joint IFPRI Robert Pfeffer Symposium & UK Particle Technology Forum.
- An Investigation into growth of non-wetting system in high shear granulation. Joint IFPRI Robert Pfeffer Symposium & UK Particle Technology Forum.
- Breakage behavior of flocs at different shear rates. Joint IFPRI Robert Pfeffer Symposium & UK Particle Technology Forum.
- Modelling of collision of two spherical particles and a single particle with a wall in normal direction through Discrete Element Method modelling as a preliminary study of granule breakage in a high shear mixer. Joint IFPRI Robert Pfeffer Symposium & UK Particle Technology Forum.
- Wet granulation: an investigation into distribution nucleation using particle coating number. Joint IFPRI Robert Pfeffer Symposium & UK Particle Technology Forum.
- Spray coating of powders and liquid contact transfer: prediction and scale-up. Joint IFPRI Robert Pfeffer Symposium & UK Particle Technology Forum.
Preprints
- Probing carbon black deagglomeration in lithium-ion battery cathode manufacturing using powder resistivity metrics. Journal of Power Sources, 659. View this article in WRRO
- Teaching interests
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I endeavour to provide research lead teaching, and am keen to continue to include our cutting edge research in our course content.
- Teaching activities
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I currently teach the Chemical Engineering Design Project, the Chemcial Engineering Research project, and the 4th year Particle Design and Processing module.
- Professional activities and memberships
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- AIChE Member and Area Chair, Particle Technology Forum
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
- Editorial Board Member, European/African Board of KONA Powder and Particle Journal