Gabriel Hanna, PhD

Associate Professor, Faculty of Science - Chemistry

Contact

Associate Professor, Faculty of Science - Chemistry
Email
ghanna1@ualberta.ca
Phone
(780) 492-3352
Address
W4-70C Chemistry Centre - West
11227 Saskatchewan Drive NW
Edmonton AB
T6G 2G2

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

Theoretical chemical physics computational chemistry molecular dynamics mixed quantum-classical dynamics proton/electron transport energy storage and transport metal-organic frameworks


About

BSc, Laurentian University
PhD, University of Toronto


Research

Our research program can be divided into two main areas:

1. Development of mixed quantum-classical dynamics methodologies 

Simulating the quantum dynamics of quantum processes occurring in systems containing large numbers of particles is computationally expensive. In such cases, one must resort to semi-classical and mixed quantum-classical techniques in order to significantly reduce the computational costs.  In our group, we focus on mixed quantum-classical methods, which treat the subsystem of interest quantum mechanically and the particles in its environment (or bath) in a classical-like fashion. For example, the subsystem could be a chromophore or a key proton/electron in a charge transfer reaction, while the environment could be a molecule or a solvent. Over the past few decades, a host of mixed quantum-classical dynamics techniques have been developed, which essentially differ in the way they treat the coupling between the subsystem and bath. As a result, each method has its own regime of validity.  Typically, these methods struggle in capturing decoherence effects, satisfying detailed balance, generating accurate long-time dynamics, and dealing with strong subsystem-bath coupling.  One approach, known as Mixed Quantum-Classical Liouville (MQCL) dynamics, is recognized as being one of the most accurate approaches, but its practical implementation has proven to be highly computationally challenging.  In our group, we are looking for ways to reduce these computational challenges without adversely affecting the accuracy.  In addition, we are interested in developing new ways of performing MQCL dynamics, which aim to circumvent the aforementioned challenges altogether.          

2. Quantum transport of charge and energy

The transport of protons, electrons, and energy plays an instrumental role in many chemical and biological phenomena such as hydrogen bonding, enzyme catalysis, photochemistry, and photosynthesis, and in energy conversion devices such as electrochemical and photovoltaic cells. A fundamental understanding of these processes may be achieved through theoretical studies of their underlying molecular dynamics. Often, these processes are inherently quantum mechanical in nature, so any efforts made towards modeling them should take this into account.  In addition, these processes usually take place in systems containing large numbers of atoms.  Therefore, to significantly cut down the computational costs, one can treat a small number of particles directly associated with the transport quantum mechanically, while the remaining particles can be treated in a classical-like fashion. Our interest is to apply mixed quantum-classical approaches for simulating the dynamics of a variety of charge and energy transfer processes in chemical and biological systems of fundamental and technological importance (e.g., proton transfer, photo-induced electron transfer, proton-coupled electron transfer, vibrational energy transfer, heat transport, electronic energy transport), and thereby shed light on ways of controlling them to improve the performance of solar energy harvesting materials, catalysts for water splitting and solar fuels production, and molecular electronics devices.  Specifically, we are interested in control methods, which rely on varying the properties of the classical part of the system, or coupling the quantum part to laser fields whose properties can be easily tuned. The results of these studies will ultimately lead to principles for designing devices that can reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels or be used in the electronics industry. 

Teaching

Quantum chemistry, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, molecular dynamics

Courses

CHEM 495 - Molecular Dynamics and its Applications

The fundamentals of statistical mechanics are covered to set up the theoretical framework for Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. The basic components of MD simulation are discussed in detail, followed by a brief foray into Monte Carlo simulation. A variety of applications are presented, including the study of structural properties of liquids, the calculation of diffusion coefficients for a solute in a solvent, and the calculation of reaction rate constants. A brief overview of methods for incorporating quantum effects into MD simulations is given. Computational exercises will be assigned to exemplify various topics encountered in the lectures. Prerequisite: CHEM 282 and CHEM 371; or consent of the instructor.


CHEM 595 - Molecular Dynamics and its Applications

The fundamentals of statistical mechanics are covered to set up the theoretical framework for Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. The basic components of MD simulation are discussed in detail, followed by a brief foray into Monte Carlo simulation. A variety of applications are presented, including the study of structural properties of liquids, the calculation of diffusion coefficients for a solute in a solvent, and the calculation of reaction rate constants. A brief overview of methods for incorporating quantum effects into MD simulations is given. Computational exercises will be assigned to exemplify various topics encountered in the lectures. Not open to students with credit in CHEM 495.


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