New frontiers in statistical mechanics. The chiral Potts model has been introduced in 1981 as a model for commensurate-incommensurate phase transitions in a layer of atoms or molecules adsorbed to a solid surface. If the adsorbed atoms all fit to holes between the surface atoms, the added layer is frozen, commensurate with the surface. If the added atoms are unable to fit holes, the added layer is no longer commensurate with the surface and could be in a floating state. A deeper understanding of ....New frontiers in statistical mechanics. The chiral Potts model has been introduced in 1981 as a model for commensurate-incommensurate phase transitions in a layer of atoms or molecules adsorbed to a solid surface. If the adsorbed atoms all fit to holes between the surface atoms, the added layer is frozen, commensurate with the surface. If the added atoms are unable to fit holes, the added layer is no longer commensurate with the surface and could be in a floating state. A deeper understanding of this and similar phenomena in layered systems has nanotechnological implications. This may affect the design of new small electronic devices or could apply to small biological systems and the development of new medicines. The project will surely lead to new applicable mathematics.Read moreRead less
Geodetic groups: foundational problems in algebra and computer science. The project aims to resolve important and longstanding open problems in Geometric Group Theory and Theoretical Computer Science. Since the 1980s researchers have conjectured that the geometric property of being geodetic is equivalent to several purely algebraic, algorithmic, and language-theoretic characterisations.
The project team's expertise in geodesic properties of groups, the interaction between formal languages and g ....Geodetic groups: foundational problems in algebra and computer science. The project aims to resolve important and longstanding open problems in Geometric Group Theory and Theoretical Computer Science. Since the 1980s researchers have conjectured that the geometric property of being geodetic is equivalent to several purely algebraic, algorithmic, and language-theoretic characterisations.
The project team's expertise in geodesic properties of groups, the interaction between formal languages and groups, and the theory of rewriting systems, together with recent breakthroughs by the team ensures that significant results can be expected.
Benefits include training research students and postdoctoral researchers in cutting-edge techniques, and advancing fundamental knowledge in mathematics and computer science.Read moreRead less