NEWSLETTER February 2021

Issue no. 13

Equilibrium snapshots of axial and radial cross section of a semiflexible polymer (green beads) of size N=2000, confined in a bilayer lipid tubule with hydrophilic head groups (red beads) and hydrophobic tails (blue) obtained from CGMD simulations. For rigid tubules with bending modulus 휅 = 24푘퐵푇 (a) & (d) a swollen chain is seen, while for softer 휅 = 12푘퐵푇 tubules (b) & (e) a globular conformation is observed. A prolate ellipsoidal conformation is observed for persistence length 푙푝 = 13휎, while for 푙푝 = 200휎 a toroidal coil (c) & (f) is seen (https://arxiv.org/pdf/2006.05943.pdf)

For further details of the Liquids and Complex Fluids Group, see: https://www.iop.org/physics-community/special-interest-groups/liquids- complex-fluids-group#gref LCFG Group newsletter Feb 2021 Contents Group News ……………………………………………………………...... 2 Chair’s address …………………………………………………..………… 2 Perspectives - doing a PhD in a pandemic ……………………..………3 Forthcoming events ..………………………………..….…………………. 5 Group committee .………………………………………………………...... 7

Group News for the sterling work they have done for the group. Lorenzo di Michele (Secretary) and Martin Buzza (Newsletter), Liquids We would also like to highlight to all and Complex Fluids Group members of the group that the group is able to organise meetings 2020 has been the year of Covid. as well as provide sponsorship for Sadly, most of the group’s planned meetings planned by external meetings and events had to be parties. Please get in touch if you cancelled or postponed and the have an idea for an event likely to pandemic has also caused major be of interest to the community. disruption to research. In this issue, Contact details of committee we have invited two PhD students, members can be found at the end one a theorist, the other an of this Newsletter. experimentalist, to share their experiences on what it has been like to do a PhD in the pandemic. Chair’s Address Many thanks to Roger and Deems for sharing their stories!

In other group news, Dr Natasha Rhys and Prof. Serafim Kalliadasis joined the committee, Natasha as an ordinary member and Serafim as the new Chair, replacing Prof. Tanniemola Liverpool who completed his tenure. Prof. Paul Clegg completed his tenure as Treasurer and was replaced by former ordinary member Dr Sergey Lishchuk. Both Paul and Serafim Kalliadasis, Chair, Liquids Tanniemola will remain in the and Complex Fluids Group committee as ordinary members. Dr Valeria Garbin stepped down as First, a few words to introduce committee member. We would like myself. I’m Professor in Engineering to thank Tannie, Paul and Valeria Science & Applied Mathematics in the Department of Chemical

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Engineering of Imperial College. I’m play. The LCFG can play an even trained as both an engineer and a more important role, contributing to mathematician and my research is understanding the pandemic and at the crossroads between mitigating its effects. Indeed, it is Mathematics, Engineering and fluids that can help us understand Complex Systems, covering both how the virus is transmitted from one applications and fundamentals. person to another – not as surprising Particular emphasis is given to fluid to us, as by working on fluids, we dynamics, and statistical know that they are everywhere. This mechanics of classical fluids. puts the LCFG in a strong position to Hence, I have a broad appreciation advocate research into fluids and, of fluids. together with other IoP groups, play an important role in matters related I assumed my role as Chair of the to COVID and beyond: advice and Liquids and Complex Fluids Group raising awareness for fluids and (LCFG) on 01/10/2020. It has been at all levels, public, a steep learning curve, but the government and funding bodies. outgoing chair, Tannie Liverpool, has been most helpful and I’m As we move forward, we face a time grateful for that. The time and effort of major change. One of my top Tannie put into the LCFG, as well as priorities over the next few months attention to detail and skills in will be, in consultation with group handling complex issues, are members, to develop a future- evident in the group’s current oriented statement of LCFG mission position which by all means is very and try to unify group activity toward strong. a “planned” future.

There are several worthwhile goals My very best wishes for 2021. to pursue and lines to follow: collaboration and cooperation within the group, e.g. via wide sharing of Perspectives – doing a research practices and training; PhD in a pandemic connecting more with other IoP groups, such as Soft Condensed An experimentalists story Matter and Non-linear and Complex Physics; convene vital meetings, Undertaking a PhD is certainly not conferences and workshops; without difficulties, in a pathway that navigate research opportunities and will test skills far beyond the initiatives; expand public academic. In light of the COVID-19 appreciation of LCFG and its many pandemic, the lockdowns have contributions. brought about not only a stop to a wide range of activities, but also an The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelming mist of uncertainty highlighted the important role that that spans the academic to the expert advice based on science can

3 LCFG Group newsletter Feb 2021 professional and personal. Aside from worrying about our well-being and that of loved ones, we are challenged with the need for progress in our research as well as notions on the coming job market crisis.

Indeed, this new world during COVID has required us within the doctoral community to adapt in more ways than anticipated. As an experimentalist who lacked access to lab facilities for a good part of 2020, I can say that my PhD pandemic experience has been uphill. The sharp transition to home- based activities entailed by the halt to experimental research required, by Roger Rubio Sanchez, at least in my case, adopting a Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge number of strategies to continue furthering my project – from dedicating a space at home for A theorists story remote work, to polishing or The nice thing about being a theorist acquiring relevant skills such as is that I only need a pen, paper, and coding, modelling, and scientific a computer to work. Despite the fact writing. This also served as an that I have not lost access to these opportunity to take a step back and essential resources, it has been get some perspective to see the challenging working at home. Aside bigger picture in my PhD to carefully from the period between August and address, plan, and execute next December, where I was able to go steps. into my shared office on some days

of the week, I have been struggling In general, I can say that, in these with the concept of my bedroom as trying times more than ever, I have a full-time working environment. I been lucky enough to count with the miss the luxury of having an entirely unwavering support of my separate space dedicated to work, I supervisor and colleagues, the long- miss the spontaneous interactions ranged encouragement of my that would happen throughout the family, and also the increasing day, often in the common room, and (virtual) presence of research I miss the collaborative scribbling on groups and communities that have the blackboards that are scattered helped me navigate this unsettling around the department. Without the season. stimulation of a bustling campus, I

4 LCFG Group newsletter Feb 2021 have found my motivation and Forthcoming Events productivity wearing thin. 14th Advanced School in Soft One positive to come from this Condensed Matter: “Solutions in situation is the number of online the Summer” (5 – 9 July 2021, conferences, workshops, and online event) seminars that have emerged since March. I have seen an increased Organised by the IOP Liquids and variety of talks because location is Complex Fluids Group. no longer an issue, and I find that they are a nice way to break up the The aim of this School is to provide day. Overall, while I have found it a comprehensive foundation for difficult to maintain motivation and researchers in the field of soft productivity in the absence of matter, liquids and complex fluids. spontaneous interactions and a The lectures will introduce key topics clear separation between work and of current interest together with the home, I have enjoyed the fact that so theoretical, experimental and many talks and discussions are now computer simulation approaches freely available online. used to address them.

The School is directed towards postgraduate students from a wide range of backgrounds including physics, chemistry, chemical engineering and biophysics.

Currently confirmed speakers include: • Robert Evans (University of Bristol) • Helen Gleeson () • Christos Likos (University of Vienna) • Raffaele Mezzenga (ETH Zürich) by Aondoyima Gerald Ioratim-Uba, • Susan Perkin (University of School of Mathematics, University Oxford) of Bristol • Roberto Piazza (University of Milan) • Wilson Poon (University of Edinburgh) • John Russo (Sapienza University of Rome)

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• Nigel Wilding (University of biomaterials, encapsulation and Bristol) controlled release etc., in order to • Julia Yeomans (University of cross-pollinate ideas and stimulate Oxford). new research directions in these fascinating systems. School web page: http://ascm2021.iopconfs.org To submit an abstract, please go to: http://colloids2021.iopconfs.org/ho Key dates: me Abstract submission deadline: 28 May 2021 Key dates: Registration deadline: 30 June 2021 Abstract submission deadline: 2 April 2021 Registration deadline: 9 June 2021 Designed Assembly of Colloids at Interfaces: Fundamentals to Invited Speakers: Applications (14 – 16 June 2021, • Bernie Binks (University of Hull, Online Event) UK) • Nikolai Denkov (Sofia University, Bulgaria) • Sepideh Razavi (Oklahoma University, USA) • Tom Russell (University of Massachusetts at Amherst, USA) • Simeon Stoyanov (Unilever R&D, Netherlands) Supported by Liquids and Complex • Rene van Roij (Utrecht University, Fluids Group, RSC and SCI Netherlands)

Colloidal particles at liquid interfaces Organising committee: not only allow us to stabilise multi- Martin Buzza (University of Hull) phase systems such as emulsions Olivier Cayre (University of Leeds) and foams, but also to create Valeria Garbin (Technical dimensionally confined structures University Delft) for functional nanomaterials, reconfigurable devices and biomimetic systems. Other Events

The aim of this conference is to bring • Physics of Emergence III: together the diverse research Origin of Life and Emergence communities interested in this area, of Multicellularity from fundamental science to applied July 2021, Hybrid virtual, 2-day. research in areas such as novel Organisers Chiu Fan Lee and formulations, lab on a chip reactors, Robert Endres nanomaterials for energy,

6 LCFG Group newsletter Feb 2021 • Single molecule bacteriology II Early Career Researchers 13-16th September 2021 Fund Expecting in-person, Milton Hill Financial support is available for House near Oxford Early Career Researchers to attend Organiser Achillefs Kapanidis international meetings and visit

international facilities. Bursaries up • Physics meets Biology to the value of £300 are available. 26-28th July 2021, Applications are considered on a Oxford, hybrid virtual quarterly basis. For information on Organiser Andrew Turberfield eligibility and to apply, see:

https://www.iop.org/research- student-conference-fund#gref.

Group committee

Chair: Prof Serafim Kalliadasis Ms Tunrayo Adeleke-Larodo Department of Chemical Department of Physics Engineering University of Oxford Imperial College London tunrayo.adeleke- [email protected] [email protected]

Treasurer: Dr Anita Zeidler Dr Sergey Lishchuk Department of Physics Materials and Engineering University of Bath Research Institute [email protected] Sheffield Hallam University [email protected] Dr Martin Buzza Department of Physics and Secretary: Mathematics Dr Lorenzo Di Michele University of Hull Department of Chemistry [email protected] Imperial College London [email protected] Dr Rammile Ettelaie School of Food Science and Committee: Nutrition University of Leeds Dr Paul Clegg [email protected] School of Physics and Astronomy University of Edinburgh Dr Timm Krueger [email protected] School of Engineering University of Edinburgh

7 LCFG Group newsletter Feb 2021 [email protected] Dr Alexander de Bruin Johnson Matthey Technology Dr Natasha Rhys [email protected] Department of Physics King’s College London Co-opted [email protected] Prof Tanniemola Liverpool Dr Buddhaprya Chakrabarti School of Mathematics Department of Physics and University of Bristol Astronomy [email protected] University of Sheffield [email protected]

Dr Manilo Tassieri Members of the committee Department of Biomedical welcome your suggestions and Engineering comments to help facilitate the University of Glasgow running and development of the [email protected] group at any time.

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