Coarse-graining the dynamics of suspensions, including both Hydrodynamic and Brownian forces.
Abstract: When suspended particles move in a background fluid, they
experience random kicks (Brownian motion), but also generate long-ranged hydrodynamic flows. This project would use a new computer simulation method, stochastic rotation dynamics (SRD) that includes both these effects, to study flow properties of complex fluids. There is also scope for more mathematical approaches combining non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and hydrodynamics to explain some of the dramatic effects we are seeing. Examples of applications include dynamic lane formation, fluctuations during sedimentation, and flow in porous media.
For more information (and pretty movies), see presentations
and look under the "Stochastic Rotation Dynamics" heading
Ainsley also likes to study another complex fluid -- he is president of the Cambridge University Wine Society.
