JAPC - Mechanics of Polymers

Speaker: Dr. Robert Hoy, University of California, Santa Barbara

Topic: "What can coarse-grained simulations tell us about the mechanics and dynamics of polymers?"

Time: 2:00 PM, Friday, October 3rd, 2008

Place: P-148 (refreshments will be served at 1:45 PM in P145A)

Abstract: Polymeric materials exhibit unique dynamical and mechanical  properties because of the random walk like structure of the  constituent chains and the fact that chains can not cross.  These and  a few other essential features are included in "bead-spring" models  invented 20 years ago by Kremer and Grest.  These models, called  "coarse grained" because they exclude all chemical detail,  nevertheless correctly describe/predict an incredible array of  polymeric phenomena.  This talk will outline various bead spring  simulation results which have either strongly supported analytic theories, falsified such theories, or suggested entirely new ideas.  I will focus on my own work on glassy strain hardening (done with  Mark Robbins), but will also highlight key results of others, and in  general attempt to show the great power, versatility and potential of  the coarse grained approach.

You can view JAPC upcoming talks or the archive.