Speaker: Prof. Philip J. CampLink opens in a new window, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh

Many devices rely on controlling friction, wear, heating, and cooling using complex fluids such as molecular solutions or colloidal suspensions. Examples include engines, motors, generators, robots, and all kinds of power transmissions. Molecular and particle-based simulations have a significant role to play in developing new materials, and keeping up with rapidly changing sustainability demands, not least because many of the engineering parameters, such as pressure or shear rate, are extreme. Several examples will be presented in this talk, along two main themes: exploiting the self-assembly and surface adsorption of amphiphilic molecules and copolymers for controlling rheology and tribology; and using colloidal ferrofluids for heating and cooling applications in engineering and in medicine. The combination of simulation and experiment, and the resulting industrial impact, will be highlighted.

The seminar will be followed by drinks/snacks in G block. Everyone is welcome to come along.