Micelle-like behaviour in a pure fluid of spherical particles with competing interactions

Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar

Micelle-like behaviour in a pure fluid of spherical particles with competing interactions

  • Event time: 1:00pm
  • Event date: 4th November 2013
  • Speaker: Martin Sweatman (University of Edinburgh)
  • Location: Room 2511,

Event details

Using a thermodynamic model and Monte Carlo simulations I will show that a pure fluid of spherical particles interacting via an SALR (short-range attraction and long-range repulsion) pair-potential has micelle-like behaviour. A non-classical crystal nucleation pathway is proposed to operate via these precursor liquid-like clusters. These findings could have implications for our understanding of mesostructure and crystal nucleation in a wide range of liquid mixtures, potentially including many biologically relevant ones, normally thought to be completely miscible and uniform at the mesoscale.

About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars

This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..

Find out more about Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars.