Research Overview
Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy
RUS is an elegant and efficient method of obtaining the full elastic
tensor of a crystalline material. Elastic constants are a sensitive
probe into the atomic environment and so provide useful information
about phase transitions. Our group specializes in high temperature RUS
measurements and analysis of thin films deposited on a substrate.
Current materials we are investigating are novel thermoelectric
compounds such as silicon germanium and Zintl phase materials and the
charge order transition in transition metal oxides.
Wormlike Micellar Materials
Wormlike micellar fluids are simple mixtures of surfactants, organic
salts and water which self-assemble into rich set of structural phases
depending on concentration and temperature. Sometimes called "living
polymers", these structures are loosely bound, can break apart under
shear flow and recombine (self-heal). In the summer of 2007, we
published a
PRL paper
reporting flow and fracture dynamics of a cylinder moving through a
highly concentrated wormlike micellar material. Currently we are
studying acoustic properties of these highly viscoelastic materials as
concentration, temperature, and acoustic pulse power are varied.
Continuum and Granular Dynamics
In recent years we have studied a number of interesting mechanical
systems including dynamic buckling of thin beams [
PRL] and normal modes of vibration of
heterogeneous nanostructures such as single and multiwall carbon
nanotubes [
JAP]. We are also
beginning a study of dynamic instabilities in granular systems subject
to fluidized vortical flow.
Teaching
Scientific Computing
I have designed a new type Scientific Computing course which is aimed
at a broad spectrum of advanced undergraduates or beginning graduate
students from a range of disciplines including Physics, Chemistry,
Biology, and Mathematics. The course teaches fundamental concepts which
are common to all scientific fields such as numerical derivatives and
integration, regression analysis, graphical representation of data, and
systems of ordinary differential equations. As time allows, we also
have covered more advanced topics such as concepts in parallel
computing. I have found the Python programming language to be a good
medium for the course.
Introductory Physics
An algebra based course primarily for pre-med students. I have taught
this course since 2005. (Physics 213/214)
Physical Theory
A calculus based course designed to as a bridge for students who have
completed the algebra based sequence and have decided to become physics
majors. (Physics 303)
Physics MCAT Review
Here is a link to the
lecture
slides for my Physics MCAT review session
given March 1, 2009. The file is intended for participants only and is
password protected. If others would like access to the slides, please
email me at the above address/