POWRE: Capturing Hydrodynamic Interactions in Complex Fluids

该项目的研究目标是发展理论模型和计算机模拟，以预测含有颗粒的复杂混合物的性质，从而能够指导实验工作朝着更富有成效的方向发展。颗粒的运动影响流体的行为，而流体的热力学和动力学性质反过来又影响颗粒的运动。为了准确地捕捉含有颗粒的复杂流体的流动特性，水动力相互作用必须包括在系统的描述中。目前，还没有有效的方法来模拟多组分流体和可移动固体颗粒混合物的三维水动力相互作用。为了克服这一障碍并实现对聚合物复合材料性能的预测，该项目致力于协作开发创新的计算技术。这是在研究和教育领域妇女专业机会（POWRE）计划下提供的一项研究加强补助金。该项目为PI将与英国牛津大学的Julia Yeomans教授合作的公休年提供部分支持。与Yeomans教授的合作有望提供一个独特的机会，将PI在聚合物/颗粒混合物建模方面的经验与她在流体流体动力学行为建模方面的专业知识结合起来。除了在牛津大学的研究活动外，PI还将在指导圣希尔达学院（牛津大学唯一的女子学院）的学生以及物理和材料系的学生方面发挥积极作用。该项目由材料研究部和MPS OMA（多学科活动办公室）共同支持。＊＊＊

Project research goals are to develop theoretical models and computer simulations that can pre-dict the properties of complex mixtures containing particulates, and thereby be able to guide ex-perimental efforts along more fruitful directions. The motion of particles influences the behavior of fluids, and the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the fluids in turn affect the movement of particles. To accurately capture flow properties of complex fluids containing particles, hydro-dynamic interactions must be included in the description of the system. Currently, there are no ef-ficient methods for simulating hydrodynamic interactions in three dimensions for mixtures of multicomponent fluids and mobile, solid particles. To overcome this stumbling block and achieve prediction of properties of polymeric composites, the project is devoted to collaborative development of innovative computational techniques. %%% This is a research enhancement grant made under the Professional Opportunities for Women in Research and Education (POWRE) program. The project provides partial support for a sabbatical year which the PI will spend collaborating with Prof. Julia Yeomans at Oxford University, UK. The collaboration with Prof. Yeomans is expected to provide a unique opportunity for integrating the PI's experience in modeling polymer/particle mixtures with her expertise in modeling the hy-drodynamic behavior of fluids. In addition to research activities at Oxford, the PI will play an ac-tive role in mentoring students at St. Hilda's College, which is the only women's college in Ox-ford, and students associated with the Physics and Materials Departments. The project is co-supported by the Division of Materials Research, and the MPS OMA(Office of Multidisciplinary Activities). ***