Cambridge Condensed Matter Theory Programme Grant
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
As theoreticians, we construct models of physical and chemical processes that are generally inspired by experimental discoveries, we generalise these models and their solutions to make predictions for new experiments, and we transfer the concepts and theoretical tools which emerge from the solution of these models to other areas of research, in a concerted interdisciplinary effort. In short, the role of theory is to understand known phenomena observed in the laboratory or in everyday life, and to predict new physical processes and phenomena.Our theoretical research is both about making calculations, to quantitatively understand and predict the behaviour of matter, but also about making models to illuminate the landscape of emergent behaviour in physics, chemistry, material science, and biology. The role of theory includes both fundamental knowledge creation and practical applications of modelling for new and existing technology. The applications of our activity are as various as ultracold atoms, semiconductor devices and DNA assembly.Starting from first principles on the microscopic level (as embodied in the Schrdinger equation) electronic, mechanical and structural properties of molecules and materials can now be calculated with a remarkable degree of accuracy. We work on developing and refining new computational tools and applying them to a broad spectrum of fundamental and applied problems in physics, chemistry, materials science and biology.Solids and fluids often show unusual collective behaviour resulting from cooperative quantum or classical phenomena. For such phenomena a more model-based approach is often appropriate, and we are using such methods to attack problems in magnetism, superfluidity, nonlinear optics, mesoscopic systems, complex fluids and solids, andbio-polymers. Collective behaviour comes even more to the fore in systems on a larger scale. As examples, we work on self-organising structures in soft condensed matter systems, non-linear dynamics of interacting systems, and models of biophysical processes, all of which bridge the gap between molecular and mesoscopic scales.
Organisations
Publications
Klein AM
(2011)
Universal patterns of stem cell fate in cycling adult tissues.
in Development (Cambridge, England)
Klein AM
(2010)
Mouse germ line stem cells undergo rapid and stochastic turnover.
in Cell stem cell
Klein AM
(2010)
Stochastic fate of p53-mutant epidermal progenitor cells is tilted toward proliferation by UV B during preneoplasia.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Klein AM
(2011)
Patterning as a signature of human epidermal stem cell regulation.
in Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
Kneževic M
(2012)
Theory of photoferroelectric response in SmC* liquids.
in The Journal of chemical physics
Kneževic M
(2013)
Photoferroelectric solar to electrical conversion
in Applied Physics Letters
Knowles TP
(2009)
An analytical solution to the kinetics of breakable filament assembly.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Knowles TP
(2012)
Twisting transition between crystalline and fibrillar phases of aggregated peptides.
in Physical review letters
Komineas S
(2012)
Vortex lattices for ultracold bosonic atoms in a non-Abelian gauge potential
in Physical Review A
Koseki J
(2008)
Quantum Monte Carlo study of porphyrin transition metal complexes.
in The Journal of chemical physics
Kozuska JL
(2014)
Impact of intracellular domain flexibility upon properties of activated human 5-HT3 receptors.
in British journal of pharmacology
Krieger T
(2015)
Dynamic stem cell heterogeneity.
in Development (Cambridge, England)
Kulish O
(2016)
F1 rotary motor of ATP synthase is driven by the torsionally-asymmetric drive shaft.
in Scientific reports
Kwasigroch M
(2012)
Quantum fluctuations of vortex lattices in ultracold gases
in Physical Review A
Lappala A
(2013)
Ratcheted diffusion transport through crowded nanochannels.
Lappala A
(2016)
Polymer glass transition occurs at the marginal rigidity point with connectivity z* = 4.
in Soft matter
Lappala A
(2013)
Ratcheted diffusion transport through crowded nanochannels.
in Scientific reports
Lappala A
(2015)
Arrested Spinodal Decomposition in Polymer Brush Collapsing in Poor Solvent
in Macromolecules
Laraia L
(2015)
Overcoming Chemical, Biological, and Computational Challenges in the Development of Inhibitors Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions.
in Chemistry & biology
Lee CT
(2019)
Structural effects of cap, crack, and intrinsic curvature on the microtubule catastrophe kinetics.
in The Journal of chemical physics
Lee CT
(2018)
Microtubule buckling in an elastic matrix with quenched disorder.
in The Journal of chemical physics
Description | Condensed Matter is intrinsically complex. The term refers to systems of vast numbers of atoms placed so close together that the electrons may no longer be confined to a single atom and the atoms interact strongly together. Perhaps not surprisingly, condensed matter systems can exhibit a vast array of different physical, chemical and/or biological properties, often on many different lengthscales. We should also remember that the fundamental equations of physics can usually only be solved exactly |
Exploitation Route | In some cases, there are opportunities for commercial exploitation of the methods we develop, particularly those involving computer modelling, but more realistically it is the novel phenomena and the systems and/or materials that exhibit them that will offer opportunities for commercial exploitation. As explained above we interact with many communities of other academic researchers. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Healthcare,Manufacturing/ including Industrial Biotechology |
URL | http://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/ |
Description | The Cambridge Theory of Condensed Matter Programme Grant was one of a long line of grants that provided long term flexible funding for the core activities of the research group. These grants have allowed us to be innovative, respond rapidly to research opportunities, take on long term riskier research and to support ongoing software development projects. The outcomes reported elsewhere give some indication of the impact of these grants which is clearly marked bymany metrics such as developing the research careers of out young researchers, awards and prizes to the PI and Co-Is and to software that is now sold commercially. |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic |
Title | CASTEP |
Description | A quantum mechanical atomistic simulation tool |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Impact | The software was originally licenced in 1994 but is continually upgraded and improved. It is sold commercially by Biovia (formerly Accelrys) with annual sales in excess of £1million and cumulative sales in excess of $30 |
URL | http://accelrys.com/products/materials-studio/quantum-and-catalysis-software.html |
Title | ONETEP |
Description | ONETEP is a linear scaling quantum mechanical atomistic simulation tool |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Impact | This software is continuously improved in terms of both functionality and speed. It has been sold commercially by Biovia (formerly Accelrys) since 2004 and now has commercial sales in excess of $4.5million |
URL | http://accelrys.com/products/materials-studio/quantum-and-catalysis-software.html |