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Research Centre Glass and Time

The goal of the Glass and Time Research Centre is to enhance understanding of the physical properties of viscous liquids

Glass is formed from a liquid that becomes more and more viscous as it cools. All liquids can form a glass if they cool quickly enough to avoid crystallization. The research conducted by Glass and Time is purely basic research that focuses on acquiring an increased understanding of the properties of viscous liquids before they solidify into glass. In this way, the Centre’s research can also secure a better understanding of the properties of various glasses, as we already know that these properties are inherited from the liquid.

The liquids we have studied are not glass as we know it from windows or drinking glasses – they are simple organic liquids such as glycerine, which, when abruptly cooled to far below room temperature, acquire a glass form. By studying such model systems, it is hoped that the Glass and Time Research Centre will be able to uncover general laws of nature that apply to all liquids and glasses.

The research conducted at the Glass and Time Research Centre is therefore more about viscous liquids than about glass. On the basis of studies of simple organic liquids, and using new measurement methods, we have put forward theories for the dynamics of viscous liquids. A common characteristic is the idea that the physics of viscous liquids may be simpler than was previously thought.

The primary purpose of the Research Centre is to investigate the validity of these theories for new classes of viscous liquids – including under high pressure. An absolutely central aspect of the Centre’s research is to perform comprehensive simulations of so-called computer fluids. A secondary purpose is to develop measurement methods that will for the first time make it possible to measure a complete set of so-called thermo-viscoelastic response functions. A more recent perspective is to be able to describe in general how and why the physical properties of materials change over the years. Through this research, we aim to provide a better basis for understanding how all materials age over time. Just think of how plastic rulers contract slightly over the years!

Examples of viscous liquids are polymer melts, silicates, ion melts, highly cooled organic liquids such as alcohol and glycerine, and certain subcooled metal alloys or sugar solutions. Despite their chemical diversity, these liquids exhibit a number of common characteristics. The central concept here is relaxation time – the time it takes for a fluid to return to equilibrium following an external disturbance. For water and ordinary liquids the relaxation time is around 1 picosecond, but for viscous liquids it can easily be a month or more. The relaxation time increases enormously upon cooling; it can often rise by a factor of ten when the temperature is reduced by 1%.

Potential applications of the research range from fibre optics and insulation materials to advanced materials used for a variety of biomedical purposes, such as in sensors and batteries. The food industry has also expressed great interest in acquiring a greater understanding of solidification processes.

Glas og tid kunstbillede med ansigt og trykmåler

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Matter

Professor Jeppe Dyre has received a grant of DKK 39.9 million for the six-year project 'Matter'. The project period runs from 2017-2023. The grant was awarded by the VILLUM FOUNDATION, via the fund's 'VILLUM Investigator' programme.

Insights

Kristine Niss Jeppe Dyre
ARTICLE

DKK 40 million for a project about simple and complex substances

As 'VILLUM Investigator', Professor of Physics Jeppe Dyre from Roskilde University will lead a research project to answer open scientific questions about simple and complex substances. The project is funded by the VILLUM FONDEN foundation.

ARTICLE

Climate-friendly asphalt developed with researchers from Roskilde University will be introduced on all national roads

Should an ongoing pilot project confirm the expected effects and durability of the asphalt, the Danish government will from 2020 introduce climate-friendly asphalt across the entire national road network ready for new surface. The asphalt has been developed since 2011 in two research projects headed by Jeppe Dyre, who is a professor of physics at Roskilde University.

Overblik over forskning på RUC

Base at Roskilde University

The centre is based at the Department of Science and Environment

Related research units: Matematik og Fysik (IMFUFA) research group

PhD Programme: Doctoral School of Science and Environment

Degree programmes: Physics // Physics and Scientific Modelling // Mathematical Bioscience // International Bachelor in Natural Sciences

Research from Roskilde University

Research - overview

ikon for website

More information

Find further information about Glass and Time:

Centre site at Roskilde University Research Portal

Additional website glass.ruc.dk

Profil

Contact

Research centre leader

Jeppe Dyre
Professor
Phone +45 4674 2284
dyre@ruc.dk

Administration

Mette Christina Nielsen
Centre coordinator
Phone +45 4674 2760
mettecn@ruc.dk