Computational Physics

    Dr. Comer Duncan is modeling astrophysical jets using computational techniques. These intense beams of charged particles moving at relativistic speeds provide the enormous energy emitted by quasars and other active galactic nuclei.

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Rayleigh-Benard Convection; Lattice Boltzmann Methods

   A major portion of Dr. Haowen Xi's research in the rich physics of spatially extended non-equilibrium systems, and especially in the dynamics of spatiotemporal chaos which occurs widely in fluid, chemical, laser, and biological systems. A major thrust of the research is to understand the complex behavior of far from equilibrium systems. This research involves studies of thermodynamic descriptions of non-equilibrium transitions in Rayleigh-Benard systems. We study simplified nonlinear models and develop conceptual insight from numerical results. This work entails implementing efficient numerical methods for simulating large scale non-equilibrium systems and supercomputer simulations in CRAY C-90 and CM-5 parallel computers.

   Another area of Xi's research is the development and application of advanced computer simulation techniques (e.g. Lattice-Boltzmann method) in the studies of multiphase fluid flow through porous media and in polymer droplets breakup and coalescence in a mixing shear flow. The understanding of multiphase fluid flow, and transport and reaction in porous media, has direct applications for solution driven oil recovery.