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SUMMARY:Fundamentals and applications of complex phase behaviour from a mo
 lecular perspective - Amparo Galindo\, Department of Chemical Engineering\
 , Imperial College London
DTSTART:20070518T103000Z
DTEND:20070518T113000Z
UID:TALK7346@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Anne Alexander
DESCRIPTION:_The phase diagram of a pure substance exhibiting gas\, liquid
  and solid phases is reasonably well understood.  As the pioneering work o
 f van der Waals showed\, the fluid phase behaviour of 'simple' fluids can 
 be understood in terms of the balance of spherical repulsive and attractiv
 e forces\, and even the fluid-solid transition of such systems can be expl
 ained in terms of the freezing of a hard-sphere system.  A more intricate 
 picture arises\, however\, when the fluid phase equilibria in a mixture is
  considered\; even if its components are relatively simple.  If\, in addit
 ion\, molecules are not spherical\, striking new transitions can be observ
 ed which lead to intermediate phases such as liquid crystals.  In mixtures
  of liquid crystals the competition between ordering and demixing can dete
 rmine the stability of many phases.  Molecular shape and flexibility can a
 lso be tuned to favour the formation of the solid phases to such an extent
  that the fluid equilibria may become entirely metastable.  The importance
  of taking a molecular perspective towards complex systems is highlighted 
 as the design of novel materials is guided by a theoretical understanding.
 _
LOCATION:Open Plan Area\, BP Institute\, Madingley Rise CB3 0EZ
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