An integrated approach to modeling and simulations of complex fluids of microstructures

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WangDMS-0605029 The investigator combines multiscale modeling, analysis, andcomputation to study a variety of polymeric liquids ofanisotropic microstructures. The microstructure of thesepolymeric liquids consists of anisotropic polymers andnanoparticles whose configuration, conformation,rigidity/flexibility, and chemical properties interact with theother constituents in the materials as well as the macroscopicflow field to effect molecular scale or nanoscale alignment thatcontrols the ultimate performance properties of the materials. One of the goals of the project is to study how the macroscopicflow field interacts with the micro-structure of the complexfluids, leading to novel mesoscale morphology, and ultimatelyinfluences the rheological as well as the material properties atthe macroscopic level. Other goals include studying how variousmolecular geometries affect macroscopic material and rheologicalproperties, phase transitions, and mesoscopic structureformation, wave propagation in biaxial liquid crystallinepolymers, and external field assisted flow processing ofpolymeric materials and nanocomposites. The investigator develops state-of-the-art multiscaletheories and models to study material and rheological propertiesof liquid crystalline polymers and polymer-nanoparticlecomposites and their fluid dynamics in various processingconditions. The project is motivated by new discoveries andemerging applications in nanomaterials and nanotechnologies. Agood understanding of the new materials and new processingmethods not only advances science, but also has implications forindustrial applications in materials and nanotechnology.