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SUMMARY:Self-assembly of liquid crystalline nanostructures in aqueous solu
 tion - Wilson\, M (Durham University)
DTSTART:20130322T115000Z
DTEND:20130322T124000Z
UID:TALK44081@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Mustapha Amrani
DESCRIPTION:Chromonic mesogens are non-conventional amphiphiles\, which se
 lf-assemble in aqueous solution to form aggregate structures: rods\, stack
 s or layers. At higher concentrations these aggregates can self-organise t
 o form chromonic mesophases. Initial self-assembly is different to that se
 en in most conventional amphiphiles: it is enthalpically-driven and takes 
 place in the absence of a critical micelle concentration. Subsequent mesop
 hase formation is driven by entropic factors.\n\nThere is great interest i
 n chromonic systems as materials for the fabrication of new thin films for
  biosensors and optical compensators\; and also because a better fundament
 al understanding of chromonic self-assembly is required to control aggrega
 te structure formation in certain classes of drug molecules.\n\nThis talk 
 presents results from molecular simulation studies of chromonic self-assem
 bly at different levels of detail. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulation
 s of the dye molecule\, sunset yellow\, and the drug molecule\, disodium c
 romoglycate\, determine for the first time the structure and dynamical pro
 perties of chromonic aggregates in aqueous solution. Showing how subtle ch
 anges in intermolecular interactions can change the mode of self-assembly.
  Coarse-grained models\, at the level of dissipative particle dynamics (DP
 D)\, demonstrate how simulation provides a tool to engineer new nanostruct
 ures by exploring the role of molecular shape and interactions in determin
 ing the structure of aggregates formed. \n\n
LOCATION:Seminar Room 1\, Newton Institute
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