Molydyn, a Bristol-based software company, wants to simulate commercially relevant polymers using the company’s Atlas web simulation platform.
Molecular modelling allows researchers to test novel materials quickly in a virtual environment, screening out candidates that do not qualify for further study. By doing so, the process saves laboratories time and money by reducing their testing burden, and is a more sustainable method of research with no physical waste.
In a statement, Dr Gary Foster, technical lead for composites at the AMRC, said: “This software package helps to reduce the amount of physical testing by replacing it with computer simulation, thus making it a more sustainable process. The AMRC will use its extensive materials characterisation capabilities to contribute to this project by validating the simulated results from the Atlas platform. It is our expectation that this will speed-up the process of developing new advanced materials for our industrial partners."
The University of Sheffield AMRC is conducting empirical lab testing to characterise the same set of polymers Molydyn is simulating. This will act as a validation data set for current, and future, simulation research. Trialling key material properties like glass transition temperature, viscosity, and coefficient of linear thermal expansion will give Molydyn an extensive range of properties to model.
Matthew Bone, Molydyn CEO, said: “We’re really looking forward to creating good commercial case studies for materials modelling, highlighting just how quickly it can give direction for laboratory-based materials research. With Atlas, we start to make simulation tools available for all materials scientists.”
Nexam Chemical is also contributing to the project by providing one of its NEXIMID polyimide formulations for testing and simulation. The NEXIMID range is designed to increase the glass transition temperature, and improve chemical and heat resistance, for polymers operating in demanding applications.
The project is funded by Innovate UK Edge.
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