Obiettivo
The predictive ability of current simulations of interesting systems in nano- and biomolecular mechanics is questionable due to (1) uncertainties in material behavior of continuum models, (2) severe limitations of atomistic simulations in the computationally accessible length and time scales in relation with the scales of scientific and technological interest, and (3) the limited understanding gained from terabytes of data produced in supercomputing platforms. These difficulties seriously undermine the credibility of computer simulations, as well as their real impact in scientific and technological endeavors. Examples include fundamental challenges in materials science (structure-property relations), molecular biology (sequence-structure-function of proteins), or product engineering (virtual testing for analysis, optimization, control). This proposal addresses three important topics in nano- and biomolecular mechanics, whose full understanding and technological exploitation require predictive models and simulations: (1) Mechanics of carbon nanotubes at engineering scales, (2) Mechanics of fluid membranes in eukaryotic cells and bio-inspired technologies and (3) Local-to-global conformational space exploration and free energy calculations for biomolecules. We follow a multiscale approach, which seeks to incorporate the net effect of the small-scale phenomena described by fundamental models of physics into the coarser (computable) scales at which the system or device operates. In addition to specific impact in these applications, the proposed research is expected to exemplify the potential of multiscale approaches towards predictive and quantitative science and technology, as well as contribute to the credibility and utility of large investments in supercomputing.
Campo scientifico
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyspace exploration
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringproduct engineering
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biology
Invito a presentare proposte
ERC-2009-StG
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-SG - ERC Starting GrantIstituzione ospitante
08034 Barcelona
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