Improving the treatment of nonequilibrium steady states

Title: Improving the treatment of nonequilibrium steady states

Speaker: Dr Stephen Sanderson, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

Abstract: Nonequilibrium processes are all around us, from chemical reactions to driving a car, or even while taking a nap. The systems involved are transitioning from one state to another, but often remain in a nonequilibrium steady state for extended periods of time. In such a state, properties may differ greatly from equilibrium, but are not significantly changing with time. From a statistical mechanics perspective, such states remain difficult to treat, and hence calculating the properties of a steady state usually requires beginning from equilibrium and then driving the system until it becomes steady, which can add significant overhead to molecular dynamics simulations (for example). This talk explores recent theoretical developments in the treatment of nonequilibrium steady states towards improved understanding, more efficient simulations leveraging machine learning and time-series predictions, and potential opportunities in advanced sensing technologies.

Biography: Stephen completed his PhD at James Cook University, supervised by Prof Ron White and Dr Bronson Philippa and externally by Prof Paul Burn and Prof Alan Mark. There, he developed and applied kinetic Monte-Carlo models and molecular dynamics simulations to study charge and exciton dynamics in organic semiconductors. He then spent 5 years as a postdoc in the group of Prof Debra Bernhardt (Searles) at The University of Queensland, where his focus shifted towards theory and methods for nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and molecular dynamics simulation. Stephen recently began an ARC DECRA Fellowship at AIBN, developing improved theory and methods for treating nonequilibrium steady states and spatially local parts of larger systems.