| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S59208/01 |
| Title: |
Bulk & Surface Phase Behaviour of Polydisperse Fluids |
| Principal Investigator: |
Wilding, Professor N |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
University of Bath |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 December 2003 |
Ends: |
31 March 2007 |
Value (£): |
142,239
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Complex fluids & soft solids |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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We propose to perform the first simulation investigations of the bulk and surface phase behaviour of polydisperse fluids in which the constitutent particles have a fixed distribution of sizes. Systems of particles having sizes distributed according to certain prescribed functional forms will be studied in fully periodic, semi-infinite and slit pore geometries. For the bulk (periodic) case, we will search for and characterise any novel polydispersity -induced liquidliquid phase transitions at high density. We will also study the polydispersity-induced splitting of the liquid-gas coexistence line into 'cloud' and 'shadow' curves and the unequal partitioning of particles of a given size between the coexisting phases. The freezing behaviour of U and hard sphere fluids will then be studied in an attempt to answer basic questions regarding the existence and nature of a 'terminal' degree of polydispersity beyond which a polydisperse liquid will not freeze into a single crystal . For polydisperse fluids in contact with an interface or absorbed in a slit pore, we will obtain the surface and interfacial phase behaviour and determine the influence of confinement on the particle size distribution. As well as contributing to the fundamental understanding of the effects of polydispersity on phase behaviour, the results should provide a basis for guiding predictions for the influence of oolvdisoersity in the manufacture of colloidal and oolvmeric materials.
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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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| Date Materialised |
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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.bath.ac.uk |