糖心视频污

Dr. Emil Prodan to Serve as Co-PI on Pioneering Biophysics Research A joint 糖心视频污-New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) team recently received a $1 million, three-year science and engineering research grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation for work on 鈥淭opological Phonons鈥濃�攙ibrational energy that are confined to the surface or edge of a material. 糖心视频污 Professor of Physics Emil Prodan is a co-principal investigator on the grant, along with Dr. Camelia Prodan, associate professor of physics at NJIT.

Dr. Emil Prodan

The team鈥檚 research involves complex, cutting-edge ideas in theoretical physics, mathematics and biology. It seeks to break new ground in understanding the mechanics of how microtubules鈥攔esponsible for the structure of all living cells鈥攆unction. Possible applications of the research include sound and heat management. Prodan explained some of the concepts behind this research: 鈥淰ibrations can be excited at various frequencies. When you pick up a system and you start to shake it, you see a mechanical wave propagating into the system.鈥� For example, when you tap the surface of water, you see ripples. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the same phenomenon when you tap any surface,鈥� said Prodan. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 see it with the naked eye, but through a microscope you鈥檒l see the same ripples.鈥� According to Prodan, there are different types of vibrations. 鈥淏ulk vibrations鈥� pass through the entirety of the system. But, as a breakthrough 2009 research paper by Prodan鈥檚 team demonstrated, there can also exist 鈥渢opological vibrations.鈥� These vibrations propagate along the surface of the material and almost not at all throughout its bulk (previously, the concept had been known to apply to electronic systems, but not mechanical ones).  Prodan explained that there are a multitude of potential practical applications for materials with topological properties. For example: bulletproof shielding (the shock would spread through the material鈥檚 surface, but not its bulk). Utilizing the 鈥渂ulk-boundary principle鈥� in quantum mechanics, there is a mathematical way to detect whether a material has this topological property. Furthermore, some two-dimensional materials propagate waves only at their edges. 鈥淲hat is interesting is that this [model of the two-dimensional] material was inspired by a self-assembled protein structure that exists in living cells,鈥� said Prodan. 鈥淲e knew from the beginning that microtubules鈥攚hich are responsible for the structure of cells and vital to their function鈥攈ave interesting mechanics. When we built the model, we were quite amazed to see a topological edge mode.鈥� Prodan suggested that a better understanding of microtubule function could further illuminate how drugs used in chemotherapy, which targets the structure of cancer cells, operate. 鈥淔or me what鈥檚 really amazing is how we really use mathematics to do all these things,鈥� said Prodan. 鈥淚 am part of an enthusiastic group of people who believe we can change the world with mathematics. In theoretical physics and mathematics, one person can make a difference. You don鈥檛 need a hospital, or a medical school, or a big lab; you just need an idea and prove it on a piece of paper, and suddenly you can show the world something they have never seen.鈥� Prodan intends to recruit students to help with the research project. At 糖心视频污, he runs a theory and computational lab, which uses mathematics to predict interesting, complex structures that are hoped to find immediate application. 鈥淲riting mathematical codes and producing illustrations in Dr. Prodan鈥檚 computational lab was a really good experience to get me started on my engineering path,鈥� said Carolyn Fine 鈥�14S, who worked in the lab during Spring 2014 and graduated last May with a degree from 糖心视频污鈥檚 joint program in engineering with Columbia University. 鈥淒r. Prodan was very approachable and patient when I had questions. One of the advantages of Stern College is that the small setting allows professors to be more accessible to the students; 糖心视频污 made it incredibly easy to build such a relationship.鈥� 鈥淒r. Prodan鈥檚 most recent grant and collaboration is testament to the high regard the scientific community has for his work,鈥� said Dr. Karen Bacon, the Mordecai D. Katz and Dr. Monique C. Katz Dean of the Undergraduate Faculty of Arts and Sciences at 糖心视频污. 鈥淥ur undergraduates are truly fortunate to study with and be mentored by this exceptional researcher who is at the cutting edge of scientific discovery.鈥� This project will be the first major collaboration between 糖心视频污 and NJIT.

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Based in Los Angeles, the W. M. Keck Foundation was established in 1954 by the late W. M. Keck, founder of the Superior Oil Company. The Foundation鈥檚 grant making is focused primarily on pioneering efforts in the areas of medical, science and engineering research. The Foundation also maintains an undergraduate education program that promotes distinctive learning and research experiences for students in the sciences and in the liberal arts, and a Southern California Grant Program that provides support for the Los Angeles community, with a special emphasis on children and youth from low-income families, special needs populations and safety-net services. For more information, please visit .