Fronts, Fluctuations and Growth

Regents Of The University Of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Abstract

Proposal: DMS-0244419 PI: Charles Doering Institution: University of Michigan Title: Fronts, Fluctuations, and Growth ABSTRACT This interdisciplinary investigation brings together researchers from the University of Michigan's Departments of Mathematics, Physics and Chemical Engineering to study questions of front propagation and pattern formation arising in materials science and chemistry. The central goal of the project is to elucidate, theoretically and mathematically, the roles of fluctuations, noise and disorder on the dynamics of interfaces in nonequilibrium systems such as chemical reactions and thin film growth. This project combines theoretical condensed matter and statistical physics, Kinetic Monte Carlo and numerical simulations, and mathematical modeling and analysis to investigate the interplay of stochastic and nonlinear effects in systems of scientific and technological interest. With regard to the intellectual merit of this activity, research results from this project will lead to the development of effective mathematical descriptions and efficient computational schemes for problems of increasing importance for small-scale physical and chemical processes in materials science and nanotechnology. With regard to the broader impacts of this activity, it also has a significant advanced training aspect: a graduate student research assistant associated with this project will carry out original PhD thesis research under the guidance of the principal investigators.