Biologically Inspired Physics

Biologically Inspired Physics
Author: L. Peliti
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 383
Release: 2013-06-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1475794835

The workshop "Biologically Inspired Physics" was organized, with the support of the NATO Scientific Affairs Division and the Directorate-General for Science, Research and Development of the Commission of the European Communities, in order to review some subjects of physics of condensed matter which are inspired by biological problems or deal with biological systems, but which address physical questions. The main topics discussed in the meeting were: 1. Macromolecules: In particular, proteins and nucleic acids. Special emphasis was placed on modelling protein folding, where analogies with disordered systems in con densed matter (glasses, spin glasses) were suggested. It is not clear at this point whether such analogies will help in solving the folding problem. Interesting problems in nucleic acids (in particular DNA) deal with the dynamics of semiflexible chains with torsion and the relationship between topology and local structure. They arise from such biological problems as DNA packing or supercoiling. 2. Membranes: This field has witnessed recent progress in the understanding of the statistical mechanics of fluctuating flexible sheets, such as lipid bilayers. It appears that one is close to understanding shape fluctuations in red blood cells on a molec ular basis. Open problems arise from phenomena such as budding or membrane fusion. Experiments on model systems, such as vesicle systems or artificial lipids, have great potential. Phenomena occurring inside the membrane (protein diffusion, ionic pumps) were only discussed briefly.

Solar System Ices

Solar System Ices
Author: B. Schmitt
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 819
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9401152527

Predicted long ago to be present on the surface of planetary bodies by theoreticians and recently shown by interplanetary spacecraft and ground- based instruments to be ubiquitous in the Solar System, ices in a broad sense have become an extremely important subject in planetary research. Ices found on objects formed in the remote parts of the Solar System contain a message about the composition and mode of formation of our planetary system. There are also objects that contain icy materials that bear signatures of past events on a geological timescale. Their study is one of the best means of inquiring about the origins, accessing the past and anticipating the future of our Solar System. The reviews in this book collect together a series of papers covering the physics and chemistry of ices, as well as the geology of icy surfaces. They present an extensive summary of their chemical and physical properties relevant to planetary astronomy. They also provide an overview of planetary bodies that contain ices and the outstanding problems of the field. Audience: The book is intended to become a reference for researchers and graduate students. It is accessible to senior graduate students with a background in planetary science.

The Physics and Chemistry of Aqueous Ionic Solutions

The Physics and Chemistry of Aqueous Ionic Solutions
Author: M.C. Bellissent-Funel
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 479
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9400939116

J.E. Enderby At the last NATO-ASI on liquids held in Corsica, (August 1977),Professor de Gennes, in his summary of that meeting, suggested that the next ASI should concentrate on some specific aspect of the subject and mentioned explicitly ionic solutions as one possibility. The challenge was taken up by Marie-Claire Bellissent-Funel and George Neilson; I am sure that all the participants would wish to congratulate our two colleagues for putting together an outstanding programme of lectures, round tables and poster session. The theory which underlies the subject was covered by four leading authorities: J.-P. Hansen (Paris) set out the general framework in terms of the statistical mechanics of bulk and surface properties; H.L. Friedman (Stony Brook) focused attention on ionic liquids at equilibrium, and J.B. Hubbard considered non-equilibrium properties such as the electrical conductivity and ionic friction coefficients. Finally, the basic theory of polyelectrolytes treated as charged linear polymers in aqueous solution was presented by J.M. Victor (Paris).

Seasonal Snowcovers: Physics, Chemistry, Hydrology

Seasonal Snowcovers: Physics, Chemistry, Hydrology
Author: H.G. Jones
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 748
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9400939477

In recent years, much concern has been expressed on the deleterious effects that anthropogenic emissions of acidic pollutants have on ecosystems of both industrialized countries and remote areas of the world. In many of these regions, seasonal snowcover is a major factor in the transfer of atmospheric pollutants, either to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems or to the more permanent reservoirs of glaciers and ice sheets. The recognition of the role that seasonal snowcovers can thus play in the chemical dynamics of whole ecosystems was recently echoed by the Committee on Glaciology of the National Research Council (National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine) which recommended that studies on "Impurities in the snowpack, their discharge into runoff, and management of the problem" be rated at the highest prority level (ref. a). It is in this context that the Advanced Research Institute (ASI) brought together scientists active in the fields of snow physics, snow chemistry and snow hydrology. The programme was structured so as to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas on the theories for the chemical evolution of seasonal snowcovers and snowmelt and on the impact of the chemical composition of the meltwaters on the different components of hydrological systems. As a consequence the ASI also attracted participants from potential users of the information that was disseminated; these were particularly concerned with the effects of snowmelt and snowcover on terrestrial biota and those of lakes and streams.

Clathrate Hydrates, 2 Volumes

Clathrate Hydrates, 2 Volumes
Author: John A. Ripmeester
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 835
Release: 2022-05-31
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3527339841

Clathrate Hydrates All-inclusive reference on clathrate hydrates from a molecular perspective Clathrate hydrates are crystalline water-based inclusion compounds many of which form at high pressures and low temperatures. Molecular science has provided the foundation for many areas of modern hydrate research and applications ranging from desalination processes to flow assurance in oil and gas pipelines. Clathrate Hydrates provides detailed information on the molecular science aspects of hydrate research, covering the structural, compositional, spectroscopic, thermodynamic, and mechanical properties of clathrate hydrates as well as simulation methods and selected engineering applications. Edited and authored by recognized leaders in the field, this comprehensive resource introduces readers to clathrate hydrates and reviews the state-of-the-art of the field. In-depth chapters address different areas of specialization such as characterization of clathrate hydrates using NMR spectroscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray and neutron diffraction and scattering. Highlights recent developments in clathrate hydrate research and applications such as natural gas recovery, desalination, and gas separation Reviews various molecular simulation methods for characterizing clathrate hydrates, including quantum mechanical calculations and Monte Carlo results Contains tables of known guest molecules, summaries of structural and physical properties, and different classes of clathrate hydrate phase equilibria Introduces unconventional guest-host interactions, related non-hydrate clathrates, and space-filling cages using the Frank-Kasper approach Covers the molecular motion of guest and host molecules and the relationship between cage geometry and guest dynamics Presents the rate and mechanisms of hydrate formation and decomposition from both macroscopic and microscopic points Clathrate Hydrates: Molecular Science and Characterization is an indispensable reference for materials scientists, physical chemists, chemical engineers, geochemists, and graduate students in relevant areas of science and engineering.