Project Details
Projekt
GRK 1276: Structure Formation and Transport in Complex Systems
Subject Area
Condensed Matter Physics
Term
from 2006 to 2015
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 969654
The focus of this Research Training Group is the investigation of the physical problems that are related to phenomena of structure formation, transport and response in complex fluids, soft condensed matter and biophysical systems. The common aspect of these problems is the relevance of interactions on different length and time scales as well as the presence of externally controlled fluxes. Typical examples are transport processes in biological or other systems that are driven away from thermal equilibrium. The associated gradients often cause the growth of characteristic nonequilibrium structures. In addition one has in particular in biophysical systems a coupling and interplay between particle dynamics and continuum dynamics.
On one hand, this kind of structure formation phenomena is investigated theoretically and experimentally in different physical model systems, e.g. the Taylor-Couette- or Faraday-System.
On the other hand, physical problems related to self-organised structures of living organisms are considered, for example the neo-vascularisation of tumour cells. Another important constituent of the typical systems under examination are active particles performing a directed stochastic motion maintained by the input of energy.
Questions related to such structure formation and dynamics in bulk complex fluids, in surface adsorbed films and in biophysical model systems are to be addressed in the Research Training Group. The tools to be used are experiments, full-scale numerical simulations and semi-analytical studies of models. The theoretical model approaches reach from detailed descriptions on atomistic scale, to macroscopic models that typically lead to non-linear dynamic equations. In order to characterise the systems experimentally amongst others modern methods of surface physics (e.g. ellipsometry, plasmon resonance) or different particle tracing methods are used.
The interdisciplinary orientation of the Research Training Group and the tight relation between experiments familiarises the PhD students with a large number of experimental and theoretical methods. The quality of the training programme is assured by means of lectures connected to the focus of the Research Training Group, an exchange programme with collaborating groups and the supervision of the PhD candidates by two group leaders of this Research Training Group.
On one hand, this kind of structure formation phenomena is investigated theoretically and experimentally in different physical model systems, e.g. the Taylor-Couette- or Faraday-System.
On the other hand, physical problems related to self-organised structures of living organisms are considered, for example the neo-vascularisation of tumour cells. Another important constituent of the typical systems under examination are active particles performing a directed stochastic motion maintained by the input of energy.
Questions related to such structure formation and dynamics in bulk complex fluids, in surface adsorbed films and in biophysical model systems are to be addressed in the Research Training Group. The tools to be used are experiments, full-scale numerical simulations and semi-analytical studies of models. The theoretical model approaches reach from detailed descriptions on atomistic scale, to macroscopic models that typically lead to non-linear dynamic equations. In order to characterise the systems experimentally amongst others modern methods of surface physics (e.g. ellipsometry, plasmon resonance) or different particle tracing methods are used.
The interdisciplinary orientation of the Research Training Group and the tight relation between experiments familiarises the PhD students with a large number of experimental and theoretical methods. The quality of the training programme is assured by means of lectures connected to the focus of the Research Training Group, an exchange programme with collaborating groups and the supervision of the PhD candidates by two group leaders of this Research Training Group.
DFG Programme
Research Training Groups
Applicant Institution
Universität des Saarlandes
Spokespersons
Professor Dr. Manfred Lücke (†); Professor Dr. Ludger Santen
