Julian Talbot is supported by a grant from the Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Program to perform theoretical studies of two specific problems: 1) the adsorption of macromolecules such as proteins from solution; and 2) the compaction of granular materials. The theoretical approach to these problems involves computational lattice simulation techniques and the theory of random sequential adsorption.
Granular compaction is important in the production, packing and transportation of foods, grains, chemicals and drugs. Protein adsorption is a key step in many industrial and biomedical applications. In spite of this the kinetics of absorption and compaction, particularly of mixtures, is poorly understood at the present time. The proposed work will advance our fundamental understanding of the kinetics of these important systems.
