Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Sampling Soils in a Heterogeneous Research Plot
Published on: January 7, 2019
Let's get honest about sampling
1Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA. dmobley@gmail.com
Abstract:
Molecular simulations see widespread and increasing use in computation and molecular design, especially within the area of molecular simulations applied to biomolecular binding and interactions, our focus here. However, force field accuracy remains a concern for many practitioners, and it is often not clear what level of accuracy is really needed for payoffs in a discovery setting. Here, I argue that despite limitations of today's force fields, current simulation tools and force fields now provide the potential for real benefits in a variety of applications. However, these same tools also provide irreproducible results which are often poorly interpreted. Continued progress in the field requires more honesty in assessment and care in evaluation of simulation results, especially with respect to convergence.
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