PATTERNS · UNIFYING PRINCIPLES IN NON-EQUILIBRIUM PATTERN FORMATION
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2004-11-01 → 2008-10-31
- EU contribution
- €2,166,249
- Participants
- 7
- Scheme
- RTN
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.
Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - PATTERNS (Unifying principles in non-equilibrium pattern formation)
The PATTERNS network focussed on self-organisation, self-assembly and pattern formation in a diverse range of materials' systems and across a broad range of length scales. From the assembly of nanoparticle arrays from colloidal solutions to the formation of fingering patterns in cornstarch samples, the network provided key insights not only into the physics of specific systems but also into the universality of certain elements of pattern formation. Key collaborative projects included: 1. developing control of the self-organisation of nanoparticles on solid sub-states via a thorough understanding of the physics underpinning the plethora of patterns observed in these systems, such as cellular networks, labyrinthine domains, fingering instabilities, correlated droplet patterns etc.; 2. correlating charge transport with topology in nanostructured systems via graph theory combined with Monte Carlo simulations and experiments; 3. fabrication of novel and functional patterns in polymer systems via electric-field instabilities; 4. exploiting dewetting and wettability gradients for microfluidic and 'nanofluidic' applications; 5. coercing nonlinear non-equilibrium patterns in oscillatory reaction and diffusion media via laser pulses.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The formation of naturally occurring patterns in systems as apparently disparate as sand dunes, catalytic reactants, fluid and polymer mixtures, the hides of animals, and the large scale structure of the Universe fascinates both scientists and laymen alike. Although there has been considerable effort devoted to the development of a unifying mathematical framework which explains pattern formation in these and many other systems, there remain very many unanswered questions. Moreover, there is considerable scope for the exploitation of far-from-equilibrium patterns and non-linear processes in the structuring of matter across an extremely wide range of length scales. For example, it is only very recently that self-organised pattern formation has been pursued (largely by a number of the groups comprising the proposed RTN) as a simple and low cost method of preparing well-defined nanostructured surfaces. The RTN we propose brings together a critical mass of internationally leading researchers working on various aspects of pattern formation, self-organisation, and complexity theory to provide an intellectually stimulating and highly interdisciplinary research environment for training of early stage-and experienced researchers. Due to the intrinsic universality of the research topic, training will be provided in an exceptionally broad array of experimental and theoretical techniques at the core of important sub-fields including nanoscience, surface- and interface science, catalysis, granular systems, and self-organized criticality. While the fundamental physics, chemistry, and mathematics underlying pattern formation forms an overarching network research theme, of tantamount importance is the development of strategies to exploit out-of-equilibrium pattern formation in the fabrication of novel nanostructures.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM · NOTTINGHAMCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) · PARISFrance
- JOZEF STEFAN INSTITUTE · LJUBLJANASlovenia
- MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V. · MUENCHENGermany
- THE CHANCELLOR, MASTER AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE · CAMBRIDGECity levelUnited Kingdom
- THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL · LIVERPOOLUnited Kingdom
- UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK · LIMERICKIreland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union