| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/A01619/01 |
| Title: |
THEORETICAL & NUMERICAL MODELLING OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLYMER STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES |
| Principal Investigator: |
Read, Professor DJ |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2000 |
Ends: |
30 September 2005 |
Value (£): |
186,362
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
|
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
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 large EPSRC 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.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |