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/