Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R03631/01
Title:	Lancaster Centre For Fluctuational Dynamics
Principal Investigator:	McClintock, Professor P
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:	Dr D Luchinsky
Project Partners:
Department:	Physics
Organisation:	Lancaster University
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 March 2001	Ends:	31 August 2005	Value (£):	554,580
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Cells Complex fluids & soft solids Optical Phenomena
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
A national centre for the study of fluctuational dynamics is proposed. It will capitalise on recent breakthroughs in understanding the creative power of fluctuations in far-from-equilibrium systems, which have opened up exciting new perspectives, both for further developments in the theory and for applications in physics, engineering, biology, medicine and other branches of science and technology. The Lancaster non-linear group already offers a unique facility for analogue and digital experiments in this burgeoning area - and is thus both a national and an international scientific asset. Such experiments have verified/falsified theoretical predictions, including some of long standing, and have helped to guide the further development of the theory. Following its EPSRC-funded 100K upgrade (1997-1999), the non-linear laboratory is well-prepared for support of the five major projects now proposed. They range widely from fundamental research on large fluctuations in limit-cycle oscillators, through chaos, Brownian ratchets (the hypothesised macromolecular transport mechanism in biological cells, and a basis for man-made nanoscale machinery) and non-linear optics, to the human cardiovascular systems - but all are closely linked both through the underlying scientific concepts and the experimental and theoretical techniques to be employed. The work involves and extensive network of international collaboration. A 4-year Programme Grant is requested to provide for continuity, facilitate planning and enable the group to retain its present position at the forefront of this fast-moving field.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.lancs.ac.uk