--- trunk/mattDisertation/Conclusion.tex 2004/03/05 22:16:34 1087 +++ trunk/mattDisertation/Conclusion.tex 2004/03/08 22:15:54 1089 @@ -1,42 +1,50 @@ \chapter{\label{chapt:conclusion}CONCLUSION} -This dissertation has presented the work and research I have -accomplished in the past five years. Chapt.~\ref{chapt:RSA} -illustrates one of the first problems I had applied myself to. Given a -relatively simple model, could we account for the differences seen in -experiment? By using the methods described in Monte Carlo modeling, I -was able to write several simulations that provided a clear -explanation for the majority of the experimental evidence. +This dissertation has presented the work and research accomplished +over the course of the past five years. Chapt.~\ref{chapt:RSA} +illustrated the application of statistical mechanical principles to +the solution of an experimental problem. Given a relatively simple +model, could the differences in experimental coverage be accounted +for? By utilizing Monte Carlo modeling methods, I wrote several +simulations that provided a clear explanation for the majority of the +experimental evidence. Namely, that overlapping, or interdigitating +molecules were responsible for the high surface coverage of the +``umbrella'' silicon phthalocyanines, while the ``octopus'' molecules, +which do not overlap, have a much lower coverage. -Later in Chapt.~\ref{chapt:oopse} I present the work I had to do in -order to solve more complex research problems. It became clear, after -the work on the RSA simulations, that even simple simulations can take -a great deal of programming. If I were to simulate the bilayer -simulations I wanted to investigate, a sophisticated molecular -modeling package was needed. After examining the options available at -the time, writing an advanced simulation suite was the best method -of accomplishing my goals. +Chapt.~\ref{chapt:oopse} presented the work necessary to the solution +of more complex research problems. It became clear, after the work on +the RSA simulations, that even simple simulations can take a great +deal of programming. If I were to simulate the bilayer systems using a +coarse-grained model, a sophisticated molecular modeling program was +required. After examining the options available at the time, writing +an advanced simulation program was the only realistic solution. -Working with my colleagues we have developed {\sc oopse} to the point -where it is capable of many unique simulation features. It properly -integrates rigid body dynamics. It has the capabilities to model -dipoles rather than point charges only. It can use the MPI interface -to calculate the long range forces across multiple processors. And -lastly, it is open source, so that other scientists may use the code, -and contribute back to the project to enhance the package. +Working with my lab-mates, I have developed our simulation program +({\sc oopse}) to the point where it is capable carrying out many +unique simulations. It properly integrates rigid body dynamics. It has +the capability to model dipoles rather than point charges only; and is +therefore able to integrate larger systems for longer times than any +other current modeling package. It can use the MPI interface to +calculate the long range forces across multiple processors. And +lastly, it is open source, so that other scientists may use the code +and contribute back to the project and enhance the program. -Lastly Chapt.~\ref{chapt:lipid} presents the research for which I -originally set about the development of {\sc oopse}. The lipid model -was under continual development while {\sc oopse} was being -designed. In fact many of the integration ensembles in {\sc oopse} -were specifically written to continue development of the lipid -model. The set of simulations presented in the chapter proved that the -model was capable of spontaneously forming bilayers. It also explored -the properties of the bilayers formed over a range of -temperatures. Further extensions to the model will likely include -exploration of dipole strength on the head as well as varying chain -configurations (one chain versus two chains, etc.). However, at this -point there are many questions that can now be explored with this model -such as the inclusion molecules to diffuse through the bilayer, or -perhaps exploration of special phases such as the ripple phase. +Lastly Chapt.~\ref{chapt:lipid} presented the research that became the +main design goal of {\sc oopse}. The lipid model was under continual +development while {\sc oopse} was being written. In fact many of the +integration ensembles in {\sc oopse} were specifically written to +continue development of the lipid model. The set of simulations +presented in the chapter have shown that the model is capable of +spontaneously forming bilayers. It also explored the properties of the +bilayers over a range of temperatures. Further extensions to the model +will likely include exploration of how head group dipole strength and +varying chain configurations (one chain versus two chains, etc.) +affect the structure and dynamics of the lipid bilayer. However, at +this point there are many questions that can now be explored with this +model such as how do small molecules include themselves, and diffuse +through the bilayer? Or what are the characteristic events that lead +to the formation of special lipid phases (i.e.~the ripple phase)? It +is my hope that my contributions to this research will make it +possible to answer these important questions and many others.