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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R58673/01
Title: Simulation Of Glassy State Relaxations in Polymers.
Principal Investigator: Davies, Dr G
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
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Department: Physics and Astronomy
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 18 February 2002 Ends: 17 March 2005 Value (£): 232,906
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Chemicals
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Summary on Grant Application Form
Glassy state relaxations in polymers occur on time scales too long for simulation by direct molecular dynamics techniques. This work will develop and compare different techniques for the study of such relaxations with particular reference to side group rotation and to backbone conformational changes in linear polymers. The 'quasi static' technique in which a system is successive values which take the system over an energy barrier and the umbrella sampling technique in which molefular dynamics are performed in the presence of a forcing potential are readily applicable to side group rotation. For linear polymers, however, the approapriate transition co-ordinate is not obvious. Forcing techniques based on normal co-ordinate analysis of short sections of chain will therefore be developed. in addition, the use of a new transition state search routine which does not require evaluation of the Hessian and is hence applicable to large systems will be investigated. The distribution of energy barriers for relaxation will result and this will be compared with experimental results derived from dielectric or other data. If a rapid method of identifying transition states is identified then this may form the basis of global update Monte-Carlo moves for equilibriation in the glassy state.
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Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk