Gren N Patey

Gren N Patey is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry within the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He maintains an active research program focused on theoretical chemistry, with particular expertise in liquid state theory, molecular dynamics simulations, and the study of ionic solutions and liquid crystals. His office is located in room D332 of the Chemistry building, and he can be reached at 604-822-2996.

Patey received his B.Sc. from Memorial University in 1970, followed by an M.Sc. (1972) and Ph.D. (1975) from the University of Toronto under the supervision of J.P. Valleau. He completed postdoctoral work in Paris with D. Levesque (1975-77) and at the National Research Council in Ottawa with M. Klein (1978-80).

His research interests span theoretical studies of liquids, solutions, and molecular clusters, with particular attention to systems of highly non-spherical particles. He investigates equilibrium and dynamical properties using theoretical methods combined with exact computer simulation techniques. Current research includes developing theories for ionic solutions in bulk and at metal electrode surfaces, studying ion solvation dynamics, and exploring forces between immersed macroscopic objects. Additional projects involve computer simulation studies of liquid crystal phase behavior, where he has demonstrated the existence of ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals. His work bridges fundamental questions about phase behavior with practical applications in electro-optical devices.

Analysis of Patey's publication record reveals a strong focus on ionic liquids, molecular dynamics simulations, and liquid crystal systems. His research consistently explores the structural and dynamical properties of complex fluids, examining how molecular characteristics influence macroscopic behavior. Recent work shows increasing emphasis on ice nucleation phenomena and the application of computational methods to atmospheric chemistry problems.

While no specific awards are mentioned in the available documentation, Patey's extensive publication record in high-impact journals demonstrates significant scholarly contributions to theoretical chemistry and molecular simulation.

Professor Patey has supervised numerous graduate students throughout his career, though specific names are not listed in the available documentation. His research has been supported by various grants enabling computational studies of complex fluid systems. He has maintained productive collaborations with researchers worldwide, as evidenced by his co-authored publications.

His computational research group at UBC utilizes advanced molecular simulation techniques to investigate the microscopic properties of liquids and solutions. The group focuses on developing theoretical frameworks that accurately describe complex molecular systems while maintaining computational efficiency.