Triboelectrification, caused by collisions and sliding contacts between materials, leads to the accumulation of electric charge. This phenomenon presents significant challenges in material handling and processing, often resulting in reduced manufacturing efficiency, out-of-specification products, wastage, and even explosion hazards. 

Over the years, our research team has developed advanced tools and methodologies to characterise charge transfer at both the single-particle level and the bulk level, under conditions such as dense shear deformation and lean-phase pneumatic conveying. 

Our current research programme takes a comprehensive approach to the analysis of triboelectrification, addressing it from the molecular-level mechanisms of solid-state formation to large-scale industrial processes, including the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and polymers. The programme consists of seven work packages, each focused on topics of both scientific significance and industrial relevance. These activities range from: 

• Molecular-scale investigations, including solid-state work function calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT); 

• Characterisation of particle charge transfer, achieved through the development of specialised instruments for measuring charge distribution and Tribo Electric Nano Generators (TENG); 

• Process-level analysis, involving unit operations such as fast fluidisation and risers, pneumatic conveying, and cyclone separation. 

In this presentation, the overall scope of the research, the contributors involved will be introduced, and then a detailed overview of one key activity: the measurement of charge distribution in particulate systems will be provided.