Professor Kostya Trachenko
Deputy Head of CCMP | Professor of Physics | Director of Graduate Studies
Email: k.trachenko@qmul.ac.ukTelephone: 020 7882 6547Room Number: G.O. Jones Building, Room 226Website: http://ccmmp.ph.qmul.ac.uk/~kostya/
Research
Research Interests:
Theoretical and computational condensed matter physics
My research interests mostly lie in theoretical and computational condensed matter physics:
- fundamental theory of liquid and supercritical states of matter
- glass transition
- glasses
- high pressure
- radiation damage effects including in nuclear waste forms and fusion reactors
- links between field theory and condensed matter physics/statistical physics
- links between fundamental physical constants and system properties.
Here are representative publications in these areas.
This is discussed on my personal website in more detail.
I am a recipient of the EPSRC-CCP prize for "outstanding contributions to theory and modelling of condensed matter phases". Our work has been awarded the top 10 Physics Breakthroughs in 2020.
Highlights in news and media:
- Award of the top 10 Physics World Breakthroughs in 2020
- Upper bound on the speed of sound in the Economist, ("MaxMach" in the Economist print edition), Physics World, Science News, Sky News and Daily Mail
- Minimal quantum viscosity in Physics World and Cosmos Magazine
- Vacuum energy gets flexible - IoP news
- Slow bitumen flow in BBC Feature Article, New Scientist and Physics World. The video abstract is here.
- New understanding of supercritical state in Physics Today
- Phonon theory of liquid thermodynamics in Physics World
- IoP highlight story about the first glimpse into radiation damage processes inside a fusion reactor
Examples of research funding:
After completing my PhD degree, I was awarded a Research Fellowship in Darwin College, Cambridge, and an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship.
I have subsequently benefited from EPSRC funding and, more recently, from NERC funding.
My international collaborations are supported by the Royal Society.
Funding details are below:
July 2021 – Sep 2024, Prinicipal Investigator on the EPSRC grant “UK-India cooperation in nuclear energy”. Grant amount: £1.1 mln. This is a collaboration with Imperial, Cambridge, Liverpool and Manchester
Jan 2020 – Jan 2024, Co-I on the NERC grant “Mechanisms and prediction of large-scale ecological responses to environmental change”. Grant amount: £1.2 mln
Aug 2018 – Aug 2020, Lead Investigator on the EPSRC impact enhancement grant. Grant amount: £46,000
Dec 2017 –Dec 2020, Lead Investigator on the EPSRC grant “Novel nuclear waste forms” awarded under the Nuclear Energy University Programme funded jointly by the US Department of Energy and EPSRC. This is a collaboration between the QMUL on the UK side and three major US research centres: University of California Davis, University of Tennessee and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. UK grant amount: £463,000.
2015-2016, Lead Investigator on Royal Society Grant for International Collaboration. Grant amount: £20,000
2014-2015, Queen Mary Trust Fund to re-develop Physics Museum, £6,000
Oct 2011- Oct 2013, Lead Investigator on the EPSRC grant (“Developing DL_POLY molecular dynamics tackle challenging problems in science and technology”, grant amount: £440,000
2010-2021, Secured funding (fees and scholarships) for PhD students. Funded by EPSRC, SEPnet, NDA, Myerscough Bequest and CSC
2010-2011 Lead Investigator on the ImpactQM teaching replacement award (£48,000). Lead Investigator on the EPSRC Pathways to Impact teaching replacement award (£22,500)
2005-2010 EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship, £250,000
2003 – 2021, Research Council grants for use of national supercomputers. Approximately £190,000-£30,000 pa. Awarded on competitive basis.
2011-current, Co-investigator on ISIS, ESRF and Diamond beam time proposals
2006, 2008, Royal Society Grant for international joint projects, appr. £5,000
1997, Cambridge Overseas Trust Scholarship, University of Cambridge. ORS Award, Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, Cambridge.
Publications
https://ccmmp.ph.qmul.ac.uk/~kostya/papers.html
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2021), The quantum mechanics of viscosity $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1063/PT.3.4908
- Cockrell C, Brazhkin VV, Trachenko K (2021), Transition in the supercritical state of matter: Review of experimental evidence $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Monserrat T, Pickard C et al. (2021), Speed of sound from fundamental physical constants $nameOfConference
- Cockrell C, Brazhkin VV, Trachenko K (2021), Universal interrelation between dynamics and thermodynamics and a dynamically driven “c” transition in fluids $nameOfConference
- Baggioli M, Trachenko K, Brazhkin V (2021), Similarity between the kinematic viscosity of quark-gluon plasma and liquids at the viscosity minimum $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Matteo B, Kamran B et al. (2021), Universal lower bounds on energy and momentum diffusion in liquids $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Monserrat B, Pickard CJ et al. (2020), Speed of sound from fundamental physical constants $nameOfConference
- Zaccone A, Trachenko K (2020), Explaining the low-frequency shear elasticity of confined liquids $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2020), Minimal quantum viscosity from fundamental physical constants $nameOfConference
- TRACHENKO KOSTYA (2019), Quantum dissipation in a scalar field theory with gapped momentum states $nameOfConference
- Baggioli M, Trachenko K (2019), Maxwell interpolation and close similarities between liquids and holographic models $nameOfConference
- Baggioli M, Trachenko K (2019), Low frequency propagating shear waves in holographic liquids $nameOfConference
- Brazhkin VV, Fomin YD, Ryzhov VN et al. (2018), Liquid-like and gas-like features of a simple fluid: An insight from theory and simulation $nameOfConference
- Yang C, Trachenko K, Hull S et al. (2018), Emergence of microstructure and oxygen diffusion in yttrium-stabilized cubic zirconia $nameOfConference
- Fomin YD, Ryzhov VN, Tsiok EN et al. (2018), Dynamics, thermodynamics and structure of liquids and supercritical fluids: Crossover at the Frenkel line $nameOfConference
- TRACHENKO K (2017), Lagrangian formulation and symmetrical description of liquid dynamics $nameOfConference
- Brazhkin VV, Fomin YD, Ryzhov VN et al. (2017), Rigid liquid –to– dense gas transition at supercritical pressures $nameOfConference
- Wang L, Dove MT, Trachenko K et al. (2017), Supercritical Grüneisen parameter and its universality at the Frenkel line $nameOfConference
- TRACHENKO K, Yang C, Dove MT et al. (2017), Emergence and Evolution of the k Gap in Spectra of Liquid and Supercritical States $nameOfConference
- Prescher C, Fomin YD, Prakapenka VB et al. (2017), Experimental evidence of the Frenkel line in supercritical neon $nameOfConference
- Wang L, Yang C, Dove MT et al. (2017), Direct links between dynamical, thermodynamic and structural properties of liquids: modelling results $nameOfConference
- TRACHENKO K (2017), Stable equilibrium point and oscillatory motion of the Universe in a model with variable vacuum energy $nameOfConference
- Fomin YD, Ryzhov VN, Tsiok EN et al. (2017), Crossover of collective modes and positive sound dispersion in supercritical state (vol 28, 43LT01, 2016) $nameOfConference
- Fomin YD, Ryzhov VN, Tsiok EN et al. (2016), Crossover of collective modes and positive sound dispersion in supercritical state. $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2016), Anomalous vacuum energy and stability of a quantum liquid. $nameOfConference
- Fomin YD, Ryzhov VN, Tsiok EN et al. (2016), The Frenkel line and isotope effect $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2015), Collective modes and thermodynamics of the liquid state $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K (2015), Varying vacuum energy of a self-interacting scalar field $nameOfConference
- Zarkadoula E, Duffy DM, Nordlund K et al. (2015), Electronic effects in high-energy radiation damage in tungsten $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2015), Reply to "Comment on 'Dynamic transition of supercritical hydrogen: Defining the boundary between interior and atmosphere in gas giants'" $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2015), Reply to "comment on 'Dynamic transition of supercritical hydrogen: Defining the boundary between interior and atmosphere in gas giants'" $nameOfConference
- Yang C, Brazhkin VV, Dove MT et al. (2015), Frenkel line and solubility maximum in supercritical fluids $nameOfConference
- Brazhkin VV, Trachenko K (2015), Between glass and gas: Thermodynamics of liquid matter $nameOfConference
- Yang C, Brazhkin VV, Dove MT et al. (2015), Frenkel line and solubility maximum in supercritical fluids. $nameOfConference
- Fomin YD, Ryzhov VN, Tsiok EN et al. (2014), Dynamic transition in supercritical iron $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1038/srep07194
- Yang C, Zarkadoula E, Dove MT et al. (2014), Solid-state diffusion in amorphous zirconolite $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1063/1.4901326
- Brazhkin VV, Trachenko K (2014), Collective excitations and thermodynamics of disordered state: New insights into an old problem $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1021/jp503647s
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV, Bolmatov D (2014), Dynamic transition of supercritical hydrogen: Defining the boundary between interior and atmosphere in gas giants $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV, Bolmatov D (2014), Dynamic transition of supercritical hydrogen: defining the boundary between interior and atmosphere in gas giants. $nameOfConference
- Zarkadoula E, Devanathan R, Weber WJ et al. (2014), High-energy radiation damage in zirconia: Modeling results $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1063/1.4866989
- Zarkadoula E, Daraszewicz SL, Duffy DM et al. (2014), Electronic effects in high-energy radiation damage in iron $nameOfConference
- Widdicombe AT, Ravindrarajah P, Sapelkin A et al. (2014), Measurement of bitumen viscosity in a room-temperature drop experiment: Student education, public outreach and modern science in one $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2014), Non-perturbative treatment of strongly-interacting fields: Insights from liquid theory $nameOfConference
- Little W, Karatutlu A, Bolmatov D et al. (2014), Structural origin of light emission in germanium quantum dots $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1038/srep07372
- Brazhkin VV, Lyapin AG, Ryzhov VN et al. (2014), The Frenkel line and supercritical technologies $nameOfConference
- Bolmatov D, Brazhkin VV, Fomin YD et al. (2013), Evidence for structural crossover in the supercritical state $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1063/1.4844135
- Bolmatov D, Musaev ET, Trachenko K (2013), Symmetry breaking gives rise to energy spectra of three states of matter $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1038/srep02794
- Brazhkin VV, Fomin YD, Lyapin AG et al. (2013), "Liquid-gas" transition in the supercritical region: fundamental changes in the particle dynamics. $nameOfConference
- Bolmatov D, Brazhkin VV, Trachenko K (2013), Thermodynamic behaviour of supercritical matter $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1038/ncomms3331
- Andritsos EI, Zarkadoula E, Phillips AE et al. (2013), The heat capacity of matter beyond the Dulong-Petit value $nameOfConference
- Zarkadoula E, Daraszewicz SL, Duffy DM et al. (2013), The nature of high-energy radiation damage in iron $nameOfConference
- Zarkadoula E, Daraszewicz SL, Duffy DM et al. (2013), The nature of high-energy radiation damage in iron. $nameOfConference
- Bolmatov D, Brazhkin VV, Trachenko K (2013), Helium at elevated pressures: Quantum liquid with non-static shear rigidity $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1063/1.4795340
- Chappell HF, Dove MT, Trachenko K et al. (2013), Structural changes in zirconolite under α-decay. $nameOfConference
- Brazhkin VV, Trachenko K (2012), What separates a liquid from a gas? $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1063/PT.3.1796
- Bolmatov D, Brazhkin VV, Trachenko K (2012), The phonon theory of liquid thermodynamics $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1038/srep00421
- Trachenko K, Zarkadoula E, Todorov IT et al. (2012), Modeling high-energy radiation damage in nuclear and fusion applications $nameOfConference
- Brazhkin VV, Fomin YD, Lyapin AG et al. (2012), Universal crossover of liquid dynamics in supercritical region $nameOfConference
- Brazhkin VV, Fomin YD, Lyapin AG et al. (2012), Two liquid states of matter: A dynamic line on a phase diagram $nameOfConference
- Brazhkin VV, Fomin YD, Lyapin AG et al. (2012), Two liquid states of matter: A dynamic line on a phase diagram. $nameOfConference
- Brazhkin VV, Lyapin AG, Ryzhov VN et al. (2012), Where is the supercritical fluid on the phase diagram? $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K (2011), Understanding the spin glass transition as a dynamic phenomenon $nameOfConference
- Bolmatov D, Trachenko K (2011), Erratum: Liquid heat capacity in the approach from the solid state: Anharmonic theory (Physical Review B (2011) 84 (054106)) $nameOfConference
- Bolmatov D, Trachenko K (2011), Liquid heat capacity in the approach from the solid state: Anharmonic theory (vol 84, 054106, 2011) $nameOfConference
- Bolmatov D, Trachenko K (2011), Liquid heat capacity in the approach from the solid state: Anharmonic theory $nameOfConference
- Pronin AA, Trachenko K, Kondrin MV et al. (2011), Nonlocal dielectric relaxation in glycerol $nameOfConference
- Pronin AA, Trachenko K, Kondrin MV et al. (2011), Nonlocal dielectric relaxation in glycerol $nameOfConference
- Brazhkin VV, Lyapin AG, Trachenko K (2011), Atomistic modeling of multiple amorphous-amorphous transitions in SiO2 and GeO2 glasses at megabar pressures $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2011), Heat capacity at the glass transition $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2009), Understanding the problem of glass transition on the basis of elastic waves in a liquid $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2009), Understanding the problem of glass transition on the basis of elastic waves in a liquid $nameOfConference
- Salje EKH, Artacho E, Austen KF et al. (2009), eScience for molecular-scale simulations and the eMinerals project. $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV, Ferlat G et al. (2008), First-principles calculations of structural changes in B2O3 glass under pressure $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K (2008), Heat capacity of liquids: An approach from the solid phase $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K (2008), The Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann law in the elastic theory of glass transition $nameOfConference
- Brazhkin VV, Katayama Y, Trachenko K et al. (2008), Nature of the structural transformations in B2O3 glass under High Pressure $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Roland CM, Casalini R (2008), Relationship between the nonexponentiality of relaxation and relaxation time in the problem of glass transition $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1021/jp800347w
- Trachenko K, Roland CM, Casalini R (2008), Relationship between the nonexponentiality of relaxation and relaxation time in the problem of glass transition. $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1021/jp800347w
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2008), Liquid elasticity length, universal dynamic crossovers, and glass transition $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV (2008), Liquid elasticity length, universal dynamic crossovers, and glass transition $nameOfConference
- Walker AM, Sullivan LA, Trachenko K et al. (2007), The origin of the compressibility anomaly in amorphous silica: a molecular dynamics study $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV, Tsiok OB et al. (2007), Logarithmic relaxation in radiation-amorphized zircon $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K (2007), Slow dynamics and stress relaxation in a liquid as an elastic medium $nameOfConference
- Lumpkin GR, Pruneda M, Rios S et al. (2007), Nature of the chemical bond and prediction of radiation tolerance in pyrochlore and defect fluorite compounds $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Brazhkin VV, Tsiok OB et al. (2007), Pressure-induced structural transformation in radiation-amorphized zircon. $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K (2007), Structural flexibility of cuprate superconductors $nameOfConference
- Dove MT, Sullivan LA, Walker AM et al. (2006), Molecular dynamics in a grid computing environment: experiences using DL_POLY_3 within the eMinerals escience project $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K (2006), A stress relaxation approach to glass transition $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Artacho E et al. (2006), Atomistic simulations of resistance to amorphization by radiation damage $nameOfConference
- Walker AM, Dove MT, Sullivan LA et al. (2006), Anatomy of a grid-enabled molecular simulation study: the compressibility of amorphous silica $nameOfConference
- Todorov IT, Smith W, Trachenko K et al. (2006), DL_POLY_3: new dimensions in molecular dynamics simulations via massive parallelism $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1039/b517931a
- Lumpkin GR, Whittle KR, Rios S et al. (2006), Radiation damage in pyrochlore and related compounds $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Turlakov M (2006), Tunneling and interaction effects in two-level systems in glasses studied by atomistic simulations $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Pruneda JM, Artacho E et al. (2005), How the nature of the chemical bond governs resistance to amorphization by radiation damage $nameOfConference
- Pruneda JM, le Polles L, Farnan I et al. (2005), Calculation of the effect of intrinsic point defects and volume swelling in the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of ZrSiO4 $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Salje EKH et al. (2005), Radiation damage in the bulk and at the surface $nameOfConference
- Tucker MG, Keen DA, Dove MT et al. (2005), Refinement of the Si-O-Si bond angle distribution in vitreous silica $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K (2004), Understanding resistance to amorphization by radiation damage $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT (2004), Local events and stretched-exponential relaxation in glasses $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Pruneda M, Artacho E et al. (2004), Radiation damage effects in the perovskite CaTiO3 and resistance of materials to amorphization $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Brazhkin V et al. (2004), Network rigidity and properties of SiO2 and GeO2 glasses under pressure. $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Geisler T et al. (2004), Radiation damage effects and percolation theory $nameOfConference
- Pruneda JM, Trachenko KO, Artacho E et al. (2004), Effects of volume swelling in crystalline host phases for nuclear waste immobilization $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Pruneda M et al. (2004), Radiation-induced structural changes, percolation effects and resistance to amorphization by radiation damage $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Brazhkin VV et al. (2003), Rigidity and logarithmic relaxation in network glasses $nameOfConference
- Geisler T, Trachenko K, Rios S et al. (2003), Impact of self-irradiation damage on the aqueous durability of zircon (ZrSiO4): implications for its suitability as a nuclear waste form $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Salje EKH (2003), Reply to comment on 'large swelling and percolation in irradiated zircon' $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT (2003), Intermediate state in pressurized silica glass: Reversibility window analogue $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT (2003), Compressibility, kinetics, and phase transition in pressurized amorphous silica $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Salje EKH (2003), Large swelling and percolation in irradiated zircon $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT (2002), Densification of silica glass under pressure $nameOfConference
- Palin EJ, Trachenko KO, Dove MT (2002), Computer simulation study of low-energy excitations of silicate glasses $nameOfConference
- Wells SA, Dove MT, Tucker MG et al. (2002), Real-space rigid-unit-mode analysis of dynamic disorder in quartz, cristobalite and amorphous silica $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Salje EKH (2002), Erratum: Publisher's note: Structural changes in zircon under α-decay irradiation (Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (2002) 65 (180102)) $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Salje EKH (2002), Structural changes in zircon under alpha-decay irradiation $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Salje EKH (2002), Structural changes in zircon under alpha-decay irradiation (vol B 65, art no 180102, 2002) $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Heine V (2002), Origin of the T1+alpha dependence of the heat capacity of glasses at low temperature $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT (2002), Floppy modes in silica glass under pressure $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Salje EKH (2001), Atomistic modelling of radiation damage in zircon $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Heine V (2001), Simulation of two-level tunneling states and floppy modes in silica glass $nameOfConference
- Trachenko KO, Dove MT, Salje EKH (2001), Atomistic modelling of radiation damage in zircon $nameOfConference
- Trachenko KO, Dove MT, Harris MJ et al. (2000), Dynamics of silica glass: two-level tunnelling states and low-energy floppy modes $nameOfConference
- Dove MT, Hammonds KD, Harris MJ et al. (2000), Amorphous silica from the Rigid Unit Mode approach $nameOfConference
- Dove MT, Craig MS, Keen DA et al. (2000), Crystal structure of the high-pressure monoclinic phase-II of cristobalite, SiO2 $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Salje E (2000), Modelling the percolation-type transition in radiation damage $nameOfConferenceDOI: 10.1063/1.373444
- Dove MT, Trachenko KO, Tucker MG et al. (2000), Rigid unit modes in framework structures: Theory, experiment and applications $nameOfConference
- Trachenko K, Dove MT, Hammonds KD et al. (1998), Low energy dynamics and tunneling states in silica glass $nameOfConference
Supervision
This is not an exhaustive list and I would be happy to discuss other project possibilities.
| Project Title |
|---|
| Radiation damage effects |
| New understanding of liquid and supercritical states of matter |