Implementation of ABF PES scanning for MM

[mattiafelice-palermo]

This pull request introduces the implementation of the Adaptive Biasing Force (ABF) technique in QForce, aimed at enhancing the capability of the software in obtaining Molecular Mechanics Potential Energy Surface (PES) profiles for dihedral angles. The ABF method offers a significant improvements in terms of accuracy of the MM energy landscape, particularly for challenging systems with complex PES.

Implementation Details

• The ABF method applies an adaptive bias to the dihedral angles during molecular dynamics simulations, enhancing the sampling of the free energy landscape.
• This implementation involves the integration of an ABF module within the QForce framework, ensuring compatibility and ease of use with existing functionalities.
• Users should be able to configure ABF-related parameters directly within QForce.
• The method should be designed to be versatile and fit into the automatic worfklow of QForce

Functions to be implemented - Checklist

• automatic box sizing and consequently number of argon atoms
• automatic multithread based on atom numbers for ABF run
• automatic check for gromacs-colvars availability (and suggestions for available gmx executables?)
• automatic timestep selection based on the presence of hydrogens
• automatic increase of ABF run duration if histogram features elements with 0
• implementation of logging module
• run test suite
• write ad-hoc tests
• implement compatibility with Gromacs 2024

[selimsami]

Thanks a lot Matteo. Looks exciting!
Just to note - I have a busy 2 weeks ahead, so it might take a while for me to get back to you on this.

Best,
Selim