![Pattern Formation in the Geosciences Pattern Formation in the Geosciences](/3638145/header_image-1599473309.jpg?t=eyJ3aWR0aCI6ODQ4LCJmaWxlX2V4dGVuc2lvbiI6ImpwZyIsIm9ial9pZCI6MzYzODE0NX0%3D--bfa17f02676c758265ca2b95b4ad0bd56a5b4989)
Pattern Formation in the Geosciences
Our group studies complex fluids and complex solids – materials that consist of more than one phase of matter, mixed together (i.e. things like paint drying and mud cracking). This work covers a diverse range of topics and questions, but is generally held together by a few simple themes:
(i) connecting the microscopic structure of such materials to their macroscopic properties,
(ii) understanding mechanical instabilities (e.g. fractures, buckling, wrinkling), and
(iii) applying these results in a broad, interdisciplinary way (e.g. geophysical patterns).
![Structure formation in multi-phase materials, from our research. From left to right (i) colloidal crystals in drying paints; (ii) shear bands and birefringence in colloidal films; (iii) Kinneyia, a fossil wrinkling instability, and (iv) columnar joints in dried corn starch.](/3204806/original-1518437614.jpg?t=eyJ3aWR0aCI6MjQ2LCJvYmpfaWQiOjMyMDQ4MDZ9--1dc03ef40fbe68d3444f15967bc5e094e55863de)
Structure formation in multi-phase materials, from our research. From left to right (i) colloidal crystals in drying paints; (ii) shear bands and birefringence in colloidal films; (iii) Kinneyia, a fossil wrinkling instability, and (iv) columnar joints in dried corn starch.
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