The specific themes and methodologies we use are outlined in the project descriptions (follow the links on the right) but the overall mechanism of investigation is to use the modelling technique(s) most appropriate to the specific problem to understand how such a behaviour impacts on the adjoining length and time-scales. In all cases it will be necessary to understand that, whilst previous research will give an indication as to the appropriate modelling length-scale, new materials with novel functionality may have a more significant impact on a different length-scale or a number of length-scales where an integrated model is more appropriate. Previous understanding must be used to guide but not blinker the modelling approach.

It will be natural for the projects to be overlapping rather than concurrent since modelling on a small length-scale will usually inform the modelling on a larger length-scale.

An overlap of two years between projects (so that the combined length of these current projects is 5 years) will ensure collaboration and aid the development of coupled models.