8. Conclusion

The development of fine powders, and nanoparticles in particular, is one of the most active areas of research worldwide. The small particle size and very high specific surface area of these materials give them specific and unique properties, which are extremely attractive to a wide range of industries: semiconductors, catalysts, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food products, plastics, powder metallurgy, etc. Fluidization appears to be a particularly promising unit operation for processing and shaping these powders. For the time being, most applications have been developed on a laboratory or pilot scale, but it is strongly anticipated that in the years to come, fluidization will be widely used on an industrial scale.

Before considering the fluidization of fine powders and nanoparticles, it is essential to understand the various interparticle forces involved, and their...