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SUMMARY:MechE Colloquium: The physics of crushing and smashing: Cascades a
 nd cataclysmic changes
DTSTART:20181106T121500
DTEND:20181106T131500
DTSTAMP:20260427T210346Z
UID:f0bbfbccccf6c26c70631ee348ac7caa095a5a81e07f4933633e245c
CATEGORIES:Conferences - Seminars
DESCRIPTION:Prof. Shmuel Rubinstein\, Physics of Complex Systems Laborator
 y\, Harvard University\nAbstract:\nMany of the big problems we are facing 
 involve far from equilibrium systems that entail a cataclysmic change. Cli
 mate\, turbulence and earthquakes\, developmental biology\, aging death\, 
 and even evolution. These phenomena are rare (sometimes occurring only onc
 e) and are entirely irreversible. While understanding the physics of such 
 irreversible processes is of both fundamental and practical importance\, t
 hese problems also pose unique challenges. These challenges\, as they mani
 fest in turbulence\, were beautifully portrayed by Richardson: “Big whir
 ls have little whirls that feed on their velocity\, and little whirls have
  lesser whirls and so on to viscosity” Lewis Fry Richardson (1922)\n\nIn
  his short verse\, Richardson captures the essence of the turbulent cascad
 e—the conveyance of kinetic energy across scales that underlies the univ
 ersal dynamics of turbulent flows. Indeed\, such conveyance of important p
 hysical quantities (energy\, stress\, frustration and even information) do
 wn and up a vast range of scales underlines the dynamics of many systems. 
 The same applies to how a multi-contact frictional interface will form and
  break or how correlated defect structures determine the strength of a spa
 ce-rocket\, how an intricate network of creases will form when we crumple 
 a thin sheet or when soda can is smashed. The challenge in understanding t
 hese systems is in capturing the events as they occur\, keeping up with th
 e dynamics on all scales and at all times. Here\, I will review our work o
 n several key irreversible system and introduce the new tools we developed
  to address their unique evolution and discuss the interesting physics we 
 learned. Specifically\, I will discuss: turbulence in the collision of vor
 tex rings\, splashing\, friction\, fracture and failure.\n\nBio:\nRubinste
 in's interests lie in understanding the non-linear dynamics of hard\, soft
  and liquid systems. Rubinstein received a Ph.D. degree in Physics from th
 e Hebrew University\, Jerusalem\, in 2010. At Harvard\, Professor Rubinste
 in is developing a program in soft matter physics that focuses on complex 
 interfaces. His interests are in experimental\, out of equilibrium\, and n
 on-linear physics. Specifically\, his lab focuses on developing cutting-ed
 ge experimental techniques to investigate systems where interfacial format
 ion\, deformation and collapse dominate the dynamics. He collaborates clos
 ely with theorists to explore three main thrusts: (1) disordered solid and
  liquid systems\, (2) nonlinear instabilities in solids and liquids and (3
 ) development of bacterial biofilms. Each of these systems of interest hig
 hlights a beautiful\, yet poorly understood phenomenon that Rubinstein see
 ks to elucidate\, including: How do things slide? How do things break? Why
  do soft materials age? How does paper crumple? Why do drops splash? How d
 o micron-size bacteria engineer huge biofilms.
LOCATION:MED 0 1418 https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==MED%200%201418
STATUS:CONFIRMED
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