Novel phase transitions for inhomogeneous fluids

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Project objective

Research objectives and content The aim of the project is the understanding of the behaviour of fluids confined between rough walls. Until now, almost all of the existing theoretical predictions for wetting phenomena have based on idealized models which neglect tine' geometric surface disorder. Our study will highlight how the order, location and existence of wetting phase trausitions are affected by the structure of the adsorbing wall and how these affect the finite-size phase diagram. Recent calculations support strongly the existence of noN el phenoinena related to non-perturbative behaviour anatogaus to bifurcations and chaos in classical dynamics. The use of powerful theoretical and numerical techniques will allow us to study this new behaviour in detail. On the one hand, the consequences of t.his theoretical study will be of fundamelltal importance for the theory of wetting itself. In addition many of the ideas will also be of direct relevance to cross-disciplinary studies of membrane and vesicle fluctuations which are of 'interest in biophysics and chemistry. Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) Regarding my training the project will aim a twin objective: the broadening of my statistical mechanics background of my statistical mechanics background and my introduction into a new field ces of the study, it will help me to strengthen the connections of my previous research with other scientific disciplines. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)

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Participants

• IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE · LONDONCoordinatorUnited Kingdom

Links

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