Materials Science Division

Material Dynamics and Kinetics Group

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Defying conventional materials science research by studying the dynamics of materials out of equilibrium.

Material being ejected from the melt pool.
The Laser Induced compression for Grain scale with High Throughput (LIGHT) laboratory enables cost-effective investigations of laser-shocked materials. Researcher Paulius Grivickas and his team train staff to use the LIGHT system.

The Materials Dynamics and Kinetics group has multidisciplinary expertise in the kinetics, transport, and interfacial dynamics of nano- and mesoscale systems using both theoretical and experimental techniques.

Our team explores material dynamics and kinetics via several avenues:

  • Material interactions with shockwaves from explosives
  • Changing properties of materials over time
  • Phase transitions
  • Computer modeling of materials under dynamic deformation
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning methods for new materials design
  • Theory and simulation of materials at the atomic scale for determining properties of novel nanomaterials, polymers, and complicated metals such as actinides
  • Laser-driven shockwave experiments to better inform computer models

We feature world-class facilities and instrumentation for high-pressure and shock wave experiments, including high-power lasers, advanced diagnostics, and capabilities for static high-pressure experiments with diamond anvil cells.

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Our research areas

Our group is composed of three subgroups.

Dynamic Materials Experiments (DME)
DME performs laser-driven and high-pressure diamond anvil cell experiments onsite and remotely around the world, as well as dynamic shockwave experiments on materials at extreme conditions.

Non-Equilibrium Theory (NET)
NET focuses on theory and simulation at the atomic scale to simulate materials far from equilibrium. We perform quantum mechanical simulations for electronic structure, as well as molecular dynamics simulations applied for a range of materials, from polymers to energetic materials to complicated actinides like uranium and plutonium.

Simulation and Design for Complex Hydrodynamics and Materials (SDCHM)
This subgroup grew out of the DarkStar project, in which AI was applied to problems of shockwave hydrodynamics and material design. SDCHM uses AI to discover new methods of controlling shockwaves and other kinds of hydrodynamic behavior and develop new performing systems.

Our team

Leadership

Belof, Jon
Jon Belof
Group Leader, Material Dynamics & Kinetics
Armstrong, Mike
Mike Armstrong
Deputy Group Leader, Dynamic Materials Experiments
Goldman, Nir
Nir Goldman
Deputy Group Leader, Non-Equilibrium Theory
Schill, William Joseph
William Schill

Group members

Ackerman, Alison Kuelz
Alison Ackerman
Staff Scientist
Baker, Jason Lee
Jason Baker
Staff Scientist
Chernov, Alexander Aleksandrovich
Alexander Chernov
Physicist
Choi, Wonjin
Wonjin Choi
Gash, Alex
Alex Gash
Deputy Director, Energetic Materials Center
Grivickas, Paulius Vytautas
Paulius Grivickas
Jin, Frank
Frank Jin
Korner, Kevin Andreas
Kevin Korner
Perreault, Christopher Stephen
Christopher Perreault
Pham, Huy
Huy Pham
Rodriguez, Kate Elizabeth
Kate Rodriguez
Shachar, Meir Hai
Meir Shachar
Scher, Jeremy Aaron
Jeremy Scher
Steele, Bradley Alan
Bradley Steele
Sterbentz, Dane Michael
Dane Sterbentz
Stimac, Jared Cole
Jared Stimac
Stroscio, Gautam Dutta
Gautam Stroscio
Williams, Logan Douglas
Logan Williams
Zepeda-Ruiz, Luis A.
Luis Zepeda-Ruiz
Research Staff

Our publications