| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/A00251/01 |
| Title: |
POLYMERIC DYNAMICS, BIOMIMETIC ORGANISATIION AND SLOW DYNAMICS IN SOFT MATTER |
| Principal Investigator: |
McLeish, Professor T |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Senior Fellowship (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2000 |
Ends: |
30 September 2005 |
Value (£): |
277,708
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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There are three themes, related by common methodologies from Soft Condensed Matter Physics. Theme I is mature and will be steered to applications, incubating the new and riskier research planned under themes 11 and Ill.The first, Molecular Rheology completes and applies within industry a current task - to provide a theoretical yet workable framework for chemically tailoring entangled polymer melts - with two new ideas; (1) co-operative release of topological constraints in strong flow ; (2) an interface with models of polymerisation kinetics. This project will build on the largeEPSRC MaPEA collaboration that I direct.The second theme, Biological and Blomimetic Networks: Dynamics and Viscoelasticity supports the Life Science Interface initiative. Simplified models will: (1) work on the elusive problem of assembly, disassembly and elasticity of the extra-cellular matrix (ECM); (2) employ many-body techniques to models of driven receptor systems where there is high co-operatively in cell-ECM interaction; (3) look by simulation at encoding kinetic information on the folding-route of a model protein in collaboration with biochemists and biophysicists at Leeds; This work will begin with the current models of peptide beta-sheet gels under strong flow.The third theme, Co-operatively in Glassy Dynamics, takes a fresh look at the glass transition using a number of coincident recent advances. The mathematical structure of the highly co-operative dynamics arising from branched polymer theory of theme 1 ( dynamic dilution ) suggests a new model for co-operative slowing akin to trap models with mode-coupling . By (1) using a range of models. (2) calculating many observables (memory, ageing, dynamically scaling, fragility) and (3) maintaining an active international forum of experts on glassy dynamics , I will catalyse the progress of this field towards an understanding of diversity rather than a forced uniformity.These and other research topics in my and colleagues groups will be included in a range of materials under development for the public understanding of science.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |