The Influence of Internal Friction on Dilute Polymer Solution Dynamics

The time rate of spatial reorganisation in polymer molecules is modulated both by solvent friction, and solvent-viscosity-independent intramolecular interactions, collectively termed as ``internal friction''. Internal friction is known to affect the timescale of protein folding, the mechanical response of polysaccharides to stretching, and the rheological properties of polymer solutions. This thesis presents a theoretical and computational investigation of the effects of internal friction on the motion of polymers in a dilute solution.