Fluidise

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To cause a solid material, especially a granular or powdered substance, to behave like a fluid by introducing a gas or liquid that suspends its particles ; to transform a rigid mass into a flowing state for easier handling or processing ; to enable the free movement of particles within a solid matrix by reducing friction and cohesion
2. To induce a solid medium to flow by passing a fluid through it, thereby promoting the movement and mixing of its components ; to convert a fixed arrangement of particles into a dynamic, fluid-like condition for industrial or scientific purposes ; to facilitate improved flow characteristics in typically static materials by applying fluid dynamics principles
3. To alter the physical state of a particulate solid so it mimics the properties of a liquid through the injection or permeation of a fluid ; to render a compact material capable of movement and deformation similar to a fluid by external manipulation ; to enhance the mobility of solid particles by suspending them in a fluid medium to optimize handling and reactions

Etymology: "Fluidise" is a plain formation: the adjective "fluid" with the verb-forming suffix "-ise" (the British spelling of "-ize"), which turns a noun or adjective into a verb meaning to make or bring into a particular state. "Fluid" itself comes from Latin "fluidus", from "fluere", "to flow", so the word's core idea is simply making something behave like a flowing liquid. The verb's most common sense is technical. In chemical engineering, a bed of powdered solid is "fluidised" by forcing gas or liquid upward through it, so that the particles lift apart and move about like a boiling liquid. This lets reactors mix and heat solids evenly, and the same principle is used in catalytic cracking in oil refining. The sense has been extended to ordinary speech only sparingly, so the word remains firmly a term of industry and laboratory practice.

Synonyms: fluidize, liquefy

Antonyms: solidify, congeal