EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/W031426/1
Title: Mathematical Modelling of Rare Events in Nanoflows: A Feasibility Study
Principal Investigator: Sprittles, Professor JE
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Mathematics
Organisation: University of Warwick
Scheme: Standard Research - NR1
Starts: 01 January 2023 Ends: 31 December 2023 Value (£): 79,092
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Continuum Mechanics Fluid Dynamics
Non-linear Systems Mathematics
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
08 Dec 2021 EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Small Grants Panel December 2021 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
The 21st century has heralded a revolution in the miniaturisation of fluid-based technologies that parallels those achieved in electronics in the 20th century, with technologies on microfluidics length scales now fully commercialised (e.g. 3D printers). Naturally, focus has now turned to exploiting the tremendous potential of flows at the nanoscale (i.e. nanofluidics), where huge surface area to volume ratios create systems that are driven by surface/interfacial effects, so that tiny volumes of fluid can be manipulated in ways that are unimaginable at the scales we observe in our daily lives.

Our focus here is on the breakup of liquid volumes at the nanoscale, which are key to applications including nano-manufacturing (e.g. of thin-film solar cells), tear films and 'dry out' of the eye, bionic nano-devices for regenerative medicine and novel nano-particle drugs. Remarkably, at present, no scientific tools have been developed for these nanoflows as:

- Experimental techniques can only provide limited information, as the dynamics occur too fast.

- Theoretical approaches based on conventional fluid dynamics fail at the nanoscale, as thermal fluctuations ('noise' or 'Brownian motion') drive qualitatively new stochastic dynamics.

This feasibility study will explore a new mathematical approach to overcome these challenges based on new methods for rare events that were originally developed for quantum mechanics. If successful, this will provide a platform for a much broader programme of intra-/inter-disciplinary research into the mathematical modelling of practically relevant nano-systems that could put the UK at the forefront of this high-tech emerging area.

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.warwick.ac.uk