(500e) Stochastic Kinetic Theory Applied to Nonequilibrium Polymer Simulations

Stochastic kinetic theories are a relatively new approach for simulating nonequilibrium situations using field equations. We have applied this approach to polymers for the first time. Although it is coarse-grained relative to equilibrium polymer field theory, this approach naturally applies to nonequilibrium situations. It also provides more detail than present in two-fluid models. For example, a non-Newtonian constitutive equation is the output of the model (rather than needed as an input). In this talk, we will introduce the concept of stochastic kinetic theories and how we applied it to concentrated polymers. We will then describe the initial validations to quantify the accuracy and examine the limits of applicability of the method.