Simulation Method for Macromolecular Material and Filler Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional computer simulation methods for macromolecular materials with fillers require experimental measurement of the interface layer thickness, which is time-consuming and costly, and do not allow for the computation of this thickness without actual material production.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented simulation method that models the macromolecular material and filler using all-atom or coarse-grained models, allowing for the computation of interface layer thickness through molecular dynamics calculations and interactive potentials, eliminating the need for experimental measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If experimental measurement is used to obtain interface layer thickness, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface layer thickness measurementVSAvoidtime required for experimental measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the macromolecular material-filler system through computer simulation. The simulation model replicates the physical system's behavior, allowing interface layer thickness to be measured in the virtual model without time-consuming physical experiments. The simulation produces accurate measurements by modeling molecular dynamics and interaction potentials, eliminating the need for actual material production and measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/experimental measurement system with a computational simulation system. Instead of physically producing materials and using experimental apparatus to measure interface layer thickness, the invention uses computer-based molecular dynamics simulations to calculate the thickness directly from modeled interactions between filler particles and macromolecular chains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If experimental measurement is used to obtain interface layer thickness, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface layer thickness measurementVSAvoidcost of material production and measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the macromolecular material-filler system through computer simulation. The simulation model replicates the physical system's behavior, allowing interface layer thickness to be measured in the virtual model without time-consuming physical experiments. The simulation produces accurate measurements by modeling molecular dynamics and interaction potentials, eliminating the need for actual material production and measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/experimental measurement system with a computational simulation system. Instead of physically producing materials and using experimental apparatus to measure interface layer thickness, the invention uses computer-based molecular dynamics simulations to calculate the thickness directly from modeled interactions between filler particles and macromolecular chains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional simulation methods are used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reliance on experimental data input

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimulation calculation efficiencyVSAvoidinterface layer thickness accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the simulation system to determine interface layer thickness independently without requiring external experimental measurements. The simulation model self-calibrates by using interaction potentials between filler particles and macromolecular chains to naturally produce the interface layer structure during molecular dynamics evolution. The system generates its own measurement data from the simulated physical chemistry, eliminating dependency on experimental input while maintaining both speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the efficient computation of interface layer thickness without experimental data, reducing time and cost, and facilitating the design and development of macromolecular materials by simulating material properties accurately.

Implementation Method 1

a Lennard-Jones potential is defined as an interactive potential between the particle models

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLennard-Jones potential:

Implementation Method 2

molecular dynamics calculations are performed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMolecular dynamics:

Data Source

PatentEP2787458B1Simulation method for macromolecular material and filler
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2787458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2787458B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2787458B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer simulation method for a macromolecular material and filler is disclosed, wherein a polymer model of a macromolecular chain of the macromolecular material and a filler model of the filler are defined; and a molecular dynamics calculation is performed using the filler model and the polymer models disposed in a space in order to compute the thickness of an interface layer between the filler and the macromolecular material. To compute the thickness, the space is partitioned into domains bounded by boundary surfaces; relaxation moduli of the domains are computed; and based on a variation of the relaxation moduli of the domains, the thickness of the interface layer is computed.