Raman Research Institute Pioneers Predictive Model for Crack Formation in Drying Materials

2025-02-28

Researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, have developed a groundbreaking method to accurately predict the timing of crack formation in drying clay and colloidal materials, with applications in medicine, forensics, art restoration, and industrial coatings. The study, published in Physics of Fluids, proposes a mathematical model linking fracture energy, elasticity, and drying stress to estimate when cracks will appear.

Using Laponite, a synthetic clay, the team conducted validation experiments that revealed how higher elasticity and increased drying temperatures (35-50°C) lead to faster crack formation (within 10-14 hours). They also found that initial cracks emerge at the outer edges and expand inward over time, forming intricate crack networks influenced by particle rearrangements and stress distribution.

The research offers practical applications in:

• Medicine – Diagnosing diseases via blood drying patterns

• Forensics – Analyzing crime scene evidence from drying layers

• Art Conservation – Preventing cracks in historical paintings

• Industrial Coatings – Enhancing paint and spacecraft coating durability.

By adjusting material concentration, salt content, or pH, the team demonstrated the ability to fine-tune material properties to delay crack formation. This has significant implications for crack-resistant coatings in extreme environments, such as spacecraft protection and heat-resistant materials.

Lead researcher Prof. Ranjini Bandyopadhyay emphasized the industrial relevance of their findings, while Vaibhav Parmar, the study’s first author, highlighted the broader geophysical and material science implications. This pioneering work is set to revolutionize predictive material science and the development of more resilient materials across industries.

Source: https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/science-environment/3189378-researchers-develop-precise-method-to-predict-crack-formation-in-drying-clay-and-colloidal-layers