Physics Colloquium: Tom Lubensky
âOn the Verge of Mechanical Instabilityâ?
The mechanical stability of bridges, buildings, and other architectural wonders is of critical importance to us all. In 1864, James Clerk Maxwell formulated a theory for the stability of frames composed of straight struts, capable of supporting tension and compression, connected at points of contact. Of particular interest are isostatic systems that have just enough struts to ensure mechanical stability. Maxwell's ideas have found applications in many fields from civil engineering to biophysics. This talk will present an overview of condensed-matter systems from network glasses to jammed solids to networks of semi-flexible polymers for which Maxwell's ideas have provided fruitful insight.
Location: Jadwin A10
Date/Time: 10/27/11 at 4:30 pm - 10/27/11 at 6:00 pm
Category: Physics Colloquium
Department: Physics