This blog post summarises the main discussions and outcomes from the joint meeting of Workgroups 5 and 6 on Communication, Dissemination, and Valorisation, held on September 2nd and 3rd. Chaired by Anthony Thornton, Donna Fitzsimmons, and Daniel Barreto, the meeting included presentations by Max Winkelman, Alexandros Theocharis, Luca Orefice, and Sadegh Nadimi. The full set of slides is available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17473482.

A key highlight was the introduction of Vasiliki (Vicky) Dimitriadi and Francesca Orsola Alfano as the new WG6 (co)-leads. The two-day meeting conducted an honest review of current communication activities, leading to numerous improvement initiatives, including website updates. A new ON-DEM slogan was chosen: "Innovate. Collaborate. Simulation with ON-DEM."

Key Outcomes and Actions:

• Blog Posts: Blog posts, such as this one, will be used to keep the network updated. The network aims for three blog posts per week across all members.

• Scientific Communication Plan Review: A comprehensive review covered LinkedIn strategy, the Particle Game (for e-learning), video training, newsletters, and advertising leaflets.

• New Roles: Four new roles were created: Instagram Manager, TikTok Manager, Slack Manager, and Google Groups Manager.

• Filled Roles: Several previously unfilled roles were assigned, including Female Researchers (Gender Equality Team), Policy Makers and Standardisation Bodies (Sadegh Nadimi), Wider Open-source Community (Anthony Thornton), Training and Certification (Daniel Barreto), ICT Countries (Alexandros Theocharis), Young Academics (Alexandros Theocharis), Undergraduate Students and Programme Coordinators (Vicky Dimitriadi), Industrial DEM Potential Users (Donna Fitzsimmons and Anthony Thornton), General Public (Anthony Thornton), GitHub/Zenodo (Thomas Weinhart), Slack (Anthony Thornton), and Google Groups (Donna Fitzsimmons).

• Content and Channel Management: Blog posts will serve as the primary method for content managers and others to share information, which channel managers will then adapt for their respective platforms.

• New Email Addresses: Two new email addresses were introduced for communication: ‘communication@on-dem.org’ (for all channel managers) and ‘communication-leads@on-dem.org’ (for communication leaders).

• Dissemination Calendar: A dissemination calendar has been created to plan events and ensure a steady flow of materials: https://on-dem.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/Index/pages/326762529
  Fyler for industrial and academic created.

• Flyer: New flyer created to advertise the network for both industrial and academics.

Outreach

Discussions included creating demonstrations with potential funding from COST, the Institute of Physics (IOP) UK (believed to offer £3K grants), or the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK. All demonstration designs will be openly shared on Zenodo.

Existing outreach events were identified, such as the Royal Society Summer Exhibition (UK), for which Sadegh Nadimi has already led an application, and The Long Night of Science (Austria). The creation of short YouTube videos about DEM and training, to be shared with module leaders and universities, was also proposed.

Branding and Marketing

An official ON-DEM presentation template (Google Slides, PowerPoint, Keynote) will be created, potentially based on Donna Fitzsimmons’s Google Slides template. ON-DEM mugs are also planned. The acknowledgment table should be added to this template and made clearer on the website.

Website - Wiki

The Wiki is a central and well-received part of the action. Suggested improvements include re-sorting the main page content list and adding a member profile database with specializations. Implemented improvements include a central page for all deliverables and an extended "how to contribute" page with YouTube video guidelines.

Open Research Europe Collection

An ON-DEM Open Research collection is planned, welcoming various paper types (research articles, data notes, open letters). Publishing will be free and 100% open access. This will become ON-DEM's preferred publication venue, and the Scientific Communication Plan (SCP) will be updated accordingly. While concerns were raised about PhD student uptake and university recognition, it was noted that the UK's Research Excellence Framework (REF) already recognises it, and the OpenFOAM journal also publishes peer-reviewed test cases. The ON-DEM rule for classification as an "ON-DEM paper" will require open access, with the ORE ON-DEM collection highly recommended. Volunteers are sought to be moderators and curators. There will be no manager for this, only curators and moderators.

Handbook

The handbook will be published under the CC BY license.

Workshops

The successful model of cross-workgroup, topic-focused workshops from the second year will continue, with more frequent, smaller, and even more focused groups. Future workshops will be organised by local organisers, the action chair (Daniel), and relevant workgroup leads. Sessions should ideally be 90 minutes. The workshop manager position will be removed.

e-learning

The goal for e-learning is to provide engaging content, not explicit teaching material. Max Winkelman and Phil Johnston are developing a game in GODOT using MercuryDPM as the physics engine, similar to Karel the Robot for general programming. Key suggestions included:

• Investigating an existing open-source particle game (Alejandro Lopez).

• Contacting Dr. G.W.J. Bruinsma (University of Twente) for expertise in serious gaming.

• Considering an "angle of repose" test as a game level.

• Seeking community ideas for content and teaching methods.

• Targeting both primary and high school audiences with adaptable topics.

• Utilising a lightweight version of MercuryDPM.

• Developing a multiplayer "battle mode" version.

• Exploring "marble race" and "billiard game with changing friction" levels.

• Investigating potential funding from the Thermal and Fluid Engineering department at the University of Twente, which previously had a budget for a similar game.

• "Algodoo is a very similar platform to what was mentioned regarding the game from which I think good ideas can be translated.

• People had used ‘Working Model’ to teach inertia and vibrations through, for example, a pendulum. Also used Phet (https://phet.colorado.edu/es/).
  
  

Mentoring

A list of mentors and mentees exists. More information about the mentoring programme and sign-up forms will be added to the Wiki.

Internal Communication

Slack and Google Groups are generally effective for internal communication, with an emphasis on concise, focused emails over lengthy ones.

LinkedIn Strategy

Alexandros Theocharis provided an overview of LinkedIn usage (details on slide 38 of the presentation). Key discussion points included:

• The private LinkedIn group will be closed due to infrequent use.

• Engagement is boosted by pictures (40% more engagement) and candid photos of members.
  COST should be tagged in posts for wider reach and potential reshares.

• A communication timeline (see early section or the Confluence page) should be followed.

• Aim for two posts per week at consistent times.

• Post during and shortly after meetings.

• Create "spotlight posts" for new members, publications, and STSM endings.

• All ON-DEM funded activities (meetings, STSMs, dissemination conferences) should have a LinkedIn post.

• Blog posts can be used by anyone with content, which will then be adapted for LinkedIn or sent to communication@on-dem.org.

• Always include a picture or photo in blog posts for content managers to use.

• Create an image gallery for LinkedIn posts.

• Consider using LinkedIn's newsletter feature as a replacement for a separate newsletter.

• A LinkedIn banner and background image for the group are needed.

• Post templates should be created for activities, meetings, person spotlights, etc.

• A "meet the member" post should be created for each new member, at least as a blog.

• Aim for two posts a week: one technical and one informative about the network.

• STSM reports can be used; these should first become blogs.
  
  

Video Training (YouTube Channel)

Goals and guidelines for video training were established:

• Two videos per year.

• A mixture of short (30 seconds) and long (5 minutes) videos.

• Consider video newsletters.

• Short and long videos on the same topic should be distinct, not just edited versions.

• Videos should include subtitles.

• Gender equality should be carefully considered when creating the videos.

Proposed video topics include:

• Introduction to ON-DEM. This should be the first video created and is a priority.

• Explaining DEM to non-experts.

• Women in DEM.

• Demonstrating each open-source code (published simultaneously).

• Contact models: Explaining physics implementation and which code has them.

• Problems of granular materials in industry.

Practical steps for video creation:

• Utilise the free version of Canva (COST offers free training for one member).

• Use OBS Studio (open-source).

• Organise a dedicated ON-DEM meeting before Christmas to create a video template.

• Host a video competition within the network, with the prize of a talk at the ON-DEM closing conference (inspired by the Powders and Grains competition, which offered an iPad).
  
  

Newsletter

The current draft newsletter format, with sections for each Workgroup, proved difficult to fill. The solution is to replace these with a general "WG news" section, drawing information from blog posts.

Further suggestions:

• Create an audio newsletter (podcast) with subtitles, potentially using Spotify or Substack.

• Consider using LinkedIn's newsletter feature.

• WG5 will be responsible for industry-focused sections.

• The current (first) newsletter should be released as soon as possible.

General Discussion about SCP, Communication, Dissemination, and Valorisation:

Discussions focused on keeping non-attending members updated and increasing industrial involvement. Key points regarding industry engagement:

• Misconception of Open-Source Quality: The idea that open-source code is inherently buggy or low quality was refuted, citing examples of issues in commercial software.

• Lack of Granular Materials Education: The belief that granular materials are not problematic or necessary to teach was identified as a major challenge. Mike Bradley's long-standing point that mechanical engineers are weak in this area, while chemical engineers are better, was highlighted. Relevant papers were cited:
  [1] E.W. Merrow, Linking R&D to problems experienced in solids processing, Chem. Eng. Prog. 1985 (May) 14–22.
  [2] B.J. Ennis, J. Green, R. Davies, The legacy of neglect in the U.S., Chem. Eng. Prog. 1994 (April) 32–43.
  [3] E.W. Merrow, Estimating startup times for solids-processing plants, Chem. Eng. 1988 (Oct. 24) 89–92.
  [4] E.W. Merrow, Problems and progress in particle processing, Chem. Innov. 2000 (Jan.) 35–41.
  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/science/what-makes-sand-soft.html?smid=tw-share

  • A paper by McNulty was also mentioned.

  • Addressing this will be a key action. Using industry to advocate for more granular materials education and creating a YouTube video on the topic were suggested. Benchmarking test cases would be beneficial.

• Problem of Scale: The challenge of applying DEM to industrial problems with a large number of particles was acknowledged.

• Joint Meetings: Regular joint online meetings between SCC, WG5, and WG6 were proposed.
  WG5 Paper: WG5’s paper on barriers to commercial utilisation and user difficulties will inform these efforts.

• Industry Engagement Events: Powtech (and Partec) should be leveraged to engage more companies in ON-DEM.
  
  

Industrial Valorisation

The second day focused on industrial engagement, starting with a review of WG5's actions.

Advertising to Industry

The chosen slogan, "Innovate. Collaborate. Simulation with ON-DEM," will be used for the entire network. Discussions about advertising methods led to the decision to create academic and industrial posters and two-sided leaflets, freely available to all members. These will be tested at Powtech/Partech, with concept designs created during the meeting and finalised by a WG5 team.

Review of Industrial Test Cases

Luca Orefice led a review of industrial test cases, which ideally involve a blind process:

1. Industrial problem definition with industry, Donna, Daniel, and Anthony (and WG5 members).

2. Public release of a detailed process description.

3. Code simulation of the process.

4. Comparison of results with each other and industrial data.
   
   

The first two challenge problems will be:

• Screw feeder

• IBC: This case is fully set up, but there is no validation data, only industrially relevant conditions.
  
  

It was noted that many collected problems lacked sufficient detail. While some were dissatisfied, it was suggested that industry may be unable or unwilling to provide highly detailed data, so the focus may shift to demonstrating problem-solving capabilities rather than detailed comparisons. WG5 will attempt to gain access to industrial experimental facilities for more detailed data but is not optimistic. An additional, very difficult problem involving active materials was suggested. Sadegh Nadimi presented Ocular Systems, offering free calibration work for industrial test cases.

White Paper on Barriers to Industrial Adoption

The white paper, though overdue, has expanded in scope. The first-year report of WG5 (soon available in the deliverables section) details many barriers, with the second-year report to include the ON-DEM ViPr industrial session. Suggested additions to the paper include:

• Appendix: Explaining the open-source business model.

• Chapter on open-source success stories (already planned), to be gathered via LinkedIn and MercuryLab customers.
  
  

A full outline of the paper was presented during the meeting. The answers to a questionnaire were reviewed, and suggestions for additional questions included company size (employees, turnover) and the most common simulation types used by industry. Willie Hendrickson was suggested as a resource for help with questionnaires and paper writing.

Finally, a point that came up in this session is that the current growth in DEM usage should be compared to the historic growth in FEM; this could be added to the MoU.

Certification and Training

WG5's certification and training plan was deemed good but ambitious. Daniel, the new Certification Manager, will establish a group to begin implementing the plan. The core idea is to set standards that existing courses can achieve (e.g., "ON-DEM level"). Detailed content discussions will follow once basic infrastructure is in place. Certification of software (e.g., "independently tested on these cases, with these features") was also proposed.

The initial step is to create a standard and a set of materials that meet it, which can then be taught in 3-4 locations to kickstart the process. This initiative could generate sustainable income for the network by offering free training but charging for assessment/certificates, with tiered pricing for advanced courses. Lower levels could involve simple online tests, while higher levels would require more controlled assessments (e.g., online interviews).

The plan moving forward:

• Establish a governance body (ideally with industrial participation) to create the governance structure and course standards.

• Have a Level 0 (foundation) course and standards by the end of the action (September 2027), considering MOOCs from Stefan Radl for basic DEM skills.
  
  

The session concluded with a discussion on AI's impact on training simulations, noting that AI can hinder programming skills but also offers opportunities for writing driver codes/input files for open-source codes, especially those with numerous open examples.