Distinguished Engineering Keynote Seminar by Dr Martin Sweatman (Reader, School of Engineering): Understanding anomalously-large clusters in small molecule solutions

After briefly summarising my research in general terms, which can be described as ‘classical statistical mechanics in chemical engineering’, I’ll focus on my recent attempts to understand the anomalously-large clusters that form, apparently at equilibrium, in some small molecule solutions. These clusters are relevant to many natural and industrial processes, including pharmaceutical crystallisation and the design of bio-inspired nanomaterials, yet remain somewhat of a mystery. I will mainly discuss experimental, theoretical and molecular simulation results concerning aqueous amino acids, especially glycine, given their fundamental importance in biology.

Martin Sweatman 

• UG: Maths and Physics, University of Bristol
• PG: Theoretical Physics, University of Bristol
• 4 years in industry with BP and UK Nirex
• PDRA: Theoretical physical chemistry, Imperial College
• Lecturer – Senior Lecturer: Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde
• Reader: IMP, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh