CAREER: Polymer Molecules in Complex Flows

William Marsh Rice University, Houston TX

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT CTS-0134389 M. Pasquali, Rice University It is proposed to study experimentally and by simulation the behavior of polymers in complex flow. The experiment consists of fluorescently labeled DNA molecules flowing in a 4 to 1 contraction with its motion observed by video-microscopy. Simulations of the flow will be carried out using both Brownian dynamics model and by the course-grained continuum model. The latter method will lend itself to for design studies of processing equipment. The education plan involves introducing new courses in rheology and advanced computational methods and to include undergraduate students in the research. In terms of outreach, The PI plans to work with one high school teacher per year to help transfer the research experience to the high school students.