Research Opportunities

Purpose

To fulfill the mission of Brigham Young University, graduate students will be required to engage in scholarly research for which the student may be paid as a Research Assistant or by some other method such as a scholarship, internship, fellowship, or tuition waiver. Students have substantial freedom in the selection of research projects, and will elect to participate in the various entities within the University to enhance their educational experience.

Ownership

All rights (including rights to income from sale or licensing), ownership, and title to research conducted at the University leading to the student's thesis or dissertation will reside with Brigham Young University. In some cases, as specified by University policy, a division of income from the sale of intellectual property will be made with contributing students.

Recognition

A graduate student will work with his/her Advisory Committee or with other faculty on researching a topic. Both student and faculty must be very clear as to the contribution of each. Proper recognition must be given to all who contribute on any published results from the collaboration. This agreement on contribution and recognition is to be obtained from each contributor before the paper is submitted for publication.

Ethics

Science is only possible if high standards of honesty are adhered to. These standards are part of the honor code to which one commits as part of a yearly ecclesiastical endorsement. The Department of Physics and Astronomy takes seriously this commitment to integrity in research. Plagiarism and falsified results will not be tolerated.

Opportunities

The Physics and Astronomy Department has six general areas of research available for students to choose from. A selection of possible research topics is listed below

Research Opportunities

Kent Gee
Kent Gee (Acoustics)
  • Environmental Noise Monitoring and Modeling

    I am working with Dr. Transtrum and graduate students on a project to use machine learning and geospatial features (nighttime radiance, precipitation, forests, etc.) to predict ambient soundscapes throughout the U.S., and eventually, globally.  We have a need for 1-2 outdoor-oriented students interested in conducting making sound measurements in different urban and rural environments, formatting the data outputs, analyzing them, and helping to feed them into the machine learning models created by the graduate students. 

  • Machine learning and crowd noise

    This project, with Dr. Transtrum, combines machine learning with crowd noise at sporting events. We want to detect cheering, booing, or even the beginning of crowd violence. This could involve taking data, analyzing them for features that relate to crowd engagement or sentiment, or developing new machine learning models.

    We are currently looking for two students, one on the acoustics side for measurement and analysis, and one on the machine learning side.

  • Military jet noise

    We study the noise radiation from turbulent jet engine exhausts.  We've studied the F-22, the F-35, and the T-7A using lots of different methods for the Air Force and the Navy.

    I'm looking for 1-2 students to join this group of ~5 students. 


  • Passive acoustical monitoring of wildlife

    Passive acoustic monitoring of wildlife has many purposes, but include studying population health, size, and dynamics.  We're currently doing research at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, looking at how water and other environmental factors impact bird choruses.  We may also be starting to do rocket noise-related research - as launches can affect noise sensitive species - in California.

    I'm looking for a student interested in measurements and analysis.

  • Research in shock waves and high-amplitude acoustics

    A lot of my research involves high-amplitude noise, like jets, rockets, explosions, and sonic booms. Other possibilities exist - email me to set up an appointment.  Numerous publication opportunities are likely.

    I'm *always* looking for new students in this area. Right now I'm looking for 2-3 students.




Traci Neilsen
Traci Neilsen (Acoustics)
  • Computational Underwater Acoustics

    Large arrays of hydrophones in the ocean can be used to locate acoustic sources.  The reliability of these localization algorithms depends on the degree to which the ocean environment is correctly parameterized in the models.  

    The computational models for sound propagation in the ocean depend on the ocean environment.  My work involves using sound from the ocean to estimate the ocean environment.  One part of the research works on determining the sensitivity of different seafloor parameters and determining which seafloors make a big enough difference on the sound propagation to be detected.  The other part explores optimizations and how machine learning can be used to identify seafloor properties from different types of sounds.

    I am currently looking for two students to join my computational underwater acoustics research.  Research in this area will provide a strong foundation in computational skills, numerical modeling, and deep learning, all of which will prepare students for additional opportunities in industry, national laboratories, and graduate school.

  • Underwater Acoustical Measurements

    Our underwater acoustics lab (U117) has a fully automated system for making acoustic measurements in our water tank (12 ft long by 4 ft wide).  Currently measurements are being made test which numerical models accurately predict sound propagation in the tank at ultrasonic frequencies.  The big upcoming goal is to be able to test machine learning algorithms for source localization and environmental variability using ultrasonic tank measurements.

    I am currently looking for two students to join my underwater acoustical measurement group.  The opportunity to do experiments in a water tank at ultrasonic frequencies offers a solid foundation for students interested in studying ultrasound or other medical physics fields in graduate school.  In addition, the experience with measurement protocols, programming the robotic arms, and analyzing the data with signal processing techniques provide a good foundation for many technical jobs.

Micah Shepherd
Micah Shepherd (Acoustics)
  • Launch Vehicle Acoustics

    The use of acoustic intensity in the near- and far-field of a rocket launch to localize the acoustic source

  • Physics of Percussion Instruments

    The acoustic measurement and physical modeling of percussion instruments to understand and predict their sound radiation

  • Thermoelasticity

    The study of energy dissipation mechanisms in vibrating beams and plates

  • Vibration-based Sound Power

    The combination of elemental radiator theory and laser vibrometry to measure sound power of arbitrarily-shaped structures

Benjamin Boizelle
Benjamin Boizelle (Astronomy)
  • Dust Attenuation in Circumnuclear Disks

    Roughly 10% of all elliptical and S0-type galaxies contain morphologically round dusty disks that obscure stellar light behind these disks. These molecular gas-rich disks are prime candidates for precision mass measurement of the supermassive black hole (BH) at the disk centers. Unfortunately, the high dust column densities preclude any confident determination of the host galaxy mass profile simply by modeling the observed stellar light distribution in optical (and often even near-IR) images. Using a large sample of multi-wavelength data obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), we are modeling the dust attenuation of these circumnuclear disks to recover a range of plausible dust-corrected stellar mass models. These will be used to more confidently constrain BH masses in about 30 elliptical and S0 galaxies.

    I am currently not looking for additional students to work on this project.

  • Reverberation Mapping in Active Galactic Nuclei

    Active galactic nuclei (AGN) manifest a range of phenomenon in X-ray to radio wavelengths, from active accretion of material into a thermally hot disk about the central supermassive black hole (BH) to ionization of clouds at light-day distances to massive jets of material that produce significant radio emission. In this project, we seek to better understand the connection between brightening and dimming of thermal energy from the accretion disk and the strength of emission lines from ionized gas clouds in what is called the broad line region (BLR). As the accretion disk light produces the light that ionizes the surrounding gas clouds, changes in accretion-disk luminosity reverberate throughout the region, resulting in a time delay between AGN and BLR light curves. In collaboration with researchers at the University of Wyoming, we will employ optical imaging and spectroscopy as well as near-IR spectroscopy to map the response of a variety of BLR emission lines to the driving continuum.

    I am currently looking for additional students to work on this project.

  • Supermassive Black Hole Mass Measurement

    The improved sensitivity and larger baselines of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) now enable imaging of molecular gas deep within the centers of numerous nearby galaxies. In a small percentage of luminous elliptical galaxies, ALMA observations trace the motion of molecules like carbon monoxide (CO) well within the supermassive black hole's (BHs) sphere of influence, wherein the BH dominates the overall gravitational potential. Using detailed gas-dynamical models, we are able to measure the BH mass and determine its overall error budget.

    I am currently looking for additional students to work on this project.

Eric Hintz
Eric Hintz (Astronomy)
  • Impact of CO Bands in Cepheids on the Hubble Tension

    We are exploring the changes of Carbon-Monoxide molecular bands over the pulsation cycle of Cepheids variables. The growth of these bands could have an impact on the Hubble Tension. This is done in the Near-IR with the ARC 3.5-m telescope. This allows complete coverage of the phase curve, which is not possible in the Mid-IR (MIR) with systems like the JWST.

  • Matching Model Stellar Atmosphere Models to Near-IR spectra of Pulsating Stars

    The Near-IR is an area that hasn't been extensively explored for pulsating variable stars. We are obtaining NIR spectra of the stars of the instability strip (Cepheids, RR Lyrae, delta Scuti, etc.) to study a number of different issues. This includes looking for cool companion stars, molecular banding structures, line-profile changes over pulsation phases.  Some of these could be related to the Hubble Tension issue.

  • Period Changes in Medium Amplitude delta Scuti Variables

    In general, researchers consider there to be two groups of delta Scuti variables; the High Amplitude delta Scuti (HADS) and the Low Amplitude delta Scuti (LADS). However, the in between realm is interesting. The Medium Amplitide delta Scuti stars seems to show a range of changes in both amplitude and period. This makes them a very interesting group to monitor.

    We are now adding some computer modeling to try to better understand these changes.

    This is a place where there is always need for additional help.  We will have 6 robotic telescopes running on every clear night by the summer of 2022.  That means a lot of data to process and light curves to be determined.

  • Spectrophotometic Comparison of H-alpha and H-beta Index

    Traditionally the H-beta index has been used as a reddening free index to measure the surface temperature of stars. Prof. Joner in the department has developed a new H-alpha index that has great promise. We are working together to spectrophotometrically compare the two systems and the application of the system to a number of different types of objects.

  • Spectroscopic Survey of Northern Sky delta Scuti Variables

    To understand the nature of the delta Scuti variables in the instability strip one needs as much information as possible about the stars. However, an examination of the catalog of delta Scuti variables shows a lack of basic information on many of the group. Of the 247 delta Scuti stars visible in the northern hemisphere we currently have spectra of 242 of them. These need to be reduced to provide estimates of some basic stellar properties like [Fe/H], radial velocity, rotational velocity, and perhaps information on any binary companions.

  • Variable Star Search in Open Clusters

    We are currently searching for new low amplitude variable stars in a large sample of open clusters. The clusters cover a wide range of ages and will provide a evolutionary test of how the variable stars change with age. We are also looking for very small eclipses that might be the sign of a planet.

Mike Joner
Mike Joner (Astronomy)
  • Photometric Reverberation Mapping
    Traditional reverberation mapping to estimate AGN black hole masses uses a combination of photometry and spectroscopy to determine the time lag between variations that occur at the accretion disk and then later in the broad line region. With such techniques, there is a need for a large amount of moderate to large telescope time in order to secure the spectroscopic data with an observing cadence suitable for a determination of the time lag. Photometric reverberation mapping uses a single epoch spectroscopic determination of the broad line region velocity and a time lag determination based on photometric observations that include predominantly continuum features or broad line components that can be seen to vary at a later time. This technique is still being tested but hold promise for the determination of black hole masses in the age of several large scale surveys.
Darin Ragozzine
Darin Ragozzine (Astronomy)
  • Orbits in the Outer Solar System

    (No positions open until Fall 2023.) Beyond the orbit of Neptune lies a population of icy bodies whose orbits can reveal unique information about how our solar system formed. This region of the solar system is called the Kuiper Belt and these small icy bodies are called Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs or sometimes Trans-Neptunian Objects or TNOs), though some are large enough to also qualify as "dwarf planets" like Pluto and Haumea. There are multiple projects available in my research group to study KBO satellites (e.g., Haumea's moons) and KBO orbits (e.g., the Haumea and other collisional families). There are a variety of projects available at a variety of levels and you'll be paid as Research Assistants. Please contact me for more information. The best time to contact me about available positions is about 1 month before the beginning of a semester. 

  • Studying the Architectures of Exoplanetary Systems

    (No positions open until Fall 2023.)  Like our Sun, other stars are known to host planetary systems. As we continued to discover many more exoplanetary systems, we learn about how these systems are put together. The "architecture" of these systems (are small planets on the inside or outside? how close are the planets to each other? etc.) gives us invaluable clues to the formation of planetary systems. I used state-of-the-art statistical and computational techniques to discovery new exoplanetary systems, study existing systems, and remove the biases on their properties from our limited observational methods. There are a variety of projects available at a variety of levels and you'll be paid as Research Assistants. Please contact me for more information. The best time to contact me about available positions is about 1 month before the beginning of a semester. 

Denise Stephens
Denise Stephens (Astronomy)
  • Brown Dwarf Binary Systems - modeling

    Looking at peculiarities in the spectra of known binary brown dwarfs. Trying to understand the large number of L/T transition binaries, and why the spectra of these objects change so quickly over a constant temperature range. We want to determine binary statistics with spectral type, and how many of the L/T objects are truly single objects. We want to understand which spectral features vary the most between a single brown dwarf and an unresolved binary system, so we can use these spectral features as a way to identify binaries from existing spectra. Eventually we will use high resolution photometry and psf fitting to identify marginally resolved and unresolved binaries.

  • Education - Learn Astropy and create training videos

    I would love to have a student work through several tutorials I have that teach astropy, learn it very well, and then create zoom videos and jupyter notebooks that future students can use to learn how to use astropy to do photometry and spectroscopy.  They could even extend this beyond to creating notebooks and videos to reduce TESS data (or any data from the roof) and in the future notebooks that can reduce APO data.

  • Spectrophotometry of brown dwarfs observed with ARC 3.5 meter

    Use IDL to reduce spectra of brown dwarfs taken with the ARC 3.5 meter telescope.  

  • Transiting Exoplanets
    Take data with the 16" telescope on the roof of the Eyring Science Center of stars that may have transiting planets.  Reduce this data using IRAF and AstroimageJ software.  Characterize the radius of the planet (if we see a transit) by fitting the transit light curve.  Return results to the team so that we can either obtain further observations of a possible planet candidate or expire the target as spurious or an eclipsing binary star system.
  • Variability in Brown Dwarfs
    Reduce Spitzer observations of 3 brown dwarfs taken sequentially in time to look for evidence of variability. If variability exists, the amplitude is very low. The evidence of variability would suggest that cloud features or holes in the clouds are not homogeneously distributed across the surface.
David Allred
David Allred (Atomic, Molecular, and Optical)
  • Advanced Materials for Nuclear Energy

    We are able to produce as thin films existing and novel materials for nuclear energy that cannot easily made at other universities.

  • Advanced Mirror Coatings for Hubble's successor
    In 1999 the IMAGE spacecraft was successfully launched and functioned for over 6 years studying the various plasma filled regions surrounding the earth (ionosphere to magnetosphere) in wavelengths from radio through EUV. We designed and coated mirrors for the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUVI) instrument, which was one of about four observational components of the IMAGE Mission. IMAGE, which stands for Imager for Magnetopause to Aurora Global Exploration, was a NASA funded Medium Explorer (MIDEX) program) [1].

    We are now working with NASA scientist and engineers in the process of designing, fabricating and testing novel mirror coatings for the next generation space observatory. The flag-ship mission that comes after the James Web Telescope and WFIRST.
  • Atomic layer & chemical vapor infiltration of C nanotube forests.
    Atomic layer and chemical vapor infiltration of carbon nanotube forests with metals such as tungsten to make three-dimensional microstructures for MEMS applications. This work is closely aligned with that of Prof. Robert C. Davis and Richard R. Vanfleet.
  • Heavily doped p-type zinc oxide for UV optoelectronic devices
    Zinc oxide- especially heavily doped p-type material. This is a promising material for UV optoelectronics applications including UV lasers, light emitting diodes, and visible light-blind detectors. It also has applications in piezoelectricity, spintronics, transparent electronics, and as a substrate for the growth of other materials.


  • optical constants of metals, semiconductors & insulators

    1.  we use ellipsometer in Chemistry C387 BNSN

    2. we measure Optical Constants in VUV in U161 with R. Steven Turley

     

Scott Bergeson
Scott Bergeson (Atomic, Molecular, and Optical)
  • Ultra-cold Plasmas

    We are making ultra-cold plasma by photo-ionizing laser-cooled calcium atoms in a Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT). The trap size is about 1 mm and it holds about 10 million calcium atoms at a temperature of 0.001 K above absolute zero. The ultracold plasma is formed when we shine in two laser pulses that ionize all of the atoms.

    The plasma is "strongly coupled", meaning that the average "nearest-neighbor" Coulomb energy is orders of magnitude larger than the mean thermal energy of particles in the plasma. A strongly coupled plasma behaves in some ways more like a solid than a gas. One of our major research goals is to understand how strong coupling changes basic processes like recombination and collisional ionization.

    We use calcium to create this plasma because the energy level scheme in Ca is favorable for laser cooling and trapping. The blue wavelengths for both Ca and Ca+ are easily generated with standard laser technology. So when plasma is created we can measure the ion temperature and plasma density in a straightforward manner.

    Our newest two projects are using lasers to cool the ions in the plasma, and also generating a plasma with both Ca and Yb ions at the same time. This last project will allow us to study the approach to thermal equilibrium in a two-temperature and two-mass system.

Michael Ware
Michael Ware (Atomic, Molecular, and Optical)
Richard Sandberg
Richard Sandberg (Laser Science)
  • General Group Research: Lensless imaging to study nanometer-scale material dynamics

    We have positions opened for post docs, undergraduate, graduate students in the Physics and Astronomy Department. We are developing lensless or coherent diffraction imaging to study materials dynamics. We use coherent light sources (x-ray, XUV, and optical), Fourier Optics, and computer algorithms to produce nanometer scale images of materials lens-lessly. 


    Post doctoral, graduate and undergraduate student position projects available:

    1. Imaging atomic strain in structural materials
    2. Studying magnetic materials with tabletop extreme ultraviolet sources
    3. Single shot imaging of materials in extreme conditions  
    4. 3D, lensless nanometer scale x-ray imaging via applied mathematics and data science
    5. Development of quantum x-ray imaging

    For more information, contact Dr. Sandberg at rsandberg@byu.edu, 801-422-1497 or N261 ESC

  • Imaging atomic strain in structural materials

    We are studying metals at the nanometer scale to understand how and where structural materials fail. Using a lensless x-ray imaging technique known as Bragg coherent diffraction imaging, we are imaging the strain in metal grains under tension, compression, or high heat environments. This technique can currently provide 3D strain imaging at few nanometer resolution. Under support from the United States Department of Energy's Basic Energy Sciences Program, we are pushing this technique towards atomic resolution and in multiple grains.

  • Single shot imaging of materials in extreme conditions

    We use single, ultrafast x-ray pulses from an x-ray free electron laser to image materials while they are being shocked with high power laser systems. This research has applications to inertial confinement fusion energy applications. It is funded by the Department of Energy through SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Branton Campbell
Branton Campbell (Materials Physics )
  • Flexible framework materials

    We use advanced mathematical tools to study the ability of crystalline inorganic materials to undergo origami-like transformations on an atomic scale, which have a profound affect on their macroscopic physical properties.

    This work includes experimental, theoretical, and computational aspects. Participants have the opportunity to apply state-of-the-art research tools and methods to solve cutting-edge materials-physics problems involving superconductors, piezoelectrics, photovoltaics, spintronics, negative-thermal-expansion compounds, and catalysts.

  • Phase transformations in crystalline materials

    We develop group-theoretical tools for computing and visualizing structural distortions in crystalline materials in order to predict and understand their impact on strategic material properties.  

    This work includes experimental, theoretical, and computational aspects. Participants have the opportunity to apply state-of-the-art research tools and methods to solve cutting-edge materials physics problems involving advanced functional materials such as superconductors, piezoelectrics, photovoltaics, and magnetoresistors.

  • Topological materials

    We are exploring the use of mathematical symmetry and topology to design crystal defects that endow a solid-state material with novel physical properties.  This work involves theoretical and computational aspects.

    This work includes theoretical and computational aspects. Participants have the opportunity to apply state-of-the-art research tools and methods to solve cutting-edge materials physics problems involving advanced functional materials such as superconductors, piezoelectrics, photovoltaics, and magnetoresistors.

Karine Chesnel
Karine Chesnel (Materials Physics )
  • Magnetic imaging

    We use Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) to image magnetic domains in ferrmagnetic thin films. The domain pattern may vary from a stripe maze pattern to a bubble pattern depending on the magnetic history. We study in particular the effect of the magnitude of the previously applied field on the domain pattern at remanence, when the field is brought back to zero.

  • Magnetic properties in nanomaterials
    We study magnetic properties in matter at the nanoscopic scale. Tools we use include magnetometry techniques (VSM, EHE, SMOKE), magnetic microscopy (MFM) and synchrotron techniques (XMCD, XMRS, magnetic speckles...). Types of systems we study vary from thin films (ferromagnetic, exchange bias), superparamagnetic nanoparticles, magnetically dopped materials with interesting electronic and optical properties...
  • Magnetometry

    We measure the magnetic response of materials to an applied magnetic field, using various types of magnetometry, including Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM), Extraordinary Hall Effect (EHE) and Surface Magneto-optical Kerr Effect (SMOKE)

  • X-ray magnetic scattering

    We use synchrotron x-ray radiation to carry x-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS) experiment at synchrotron facilities, such as NSLS, ALS APS, SLAC... The XRMS signal provides with information on the nanoscale magnetic correlations existing in the material under certain conditions of magnetic field and temperature.

John Colton
John Colton (Materials Physics )
  • 2D metal-halide perovskites for solar applications

    "2D hybrid organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites" are a recently discovered class of semiconductors being studied in the hopes of developing highly efficient, low-cost, stable solar cells. Metal and halogen (group VII) atoms bind together in 2D layers, which are then stacked together via organic linker molecules. We are studying these interesting and important materials through optical absorption, electric field-modulated absorption, photoluminescence (fluorescence), time-dependent photoluminescence on nanosecond time scales, and dielectric spectroscopies. This allows us to determine important properties of the electrons inside these materials, to make better photovoltaic materials.

  • Nanoparticles as temperature sensors
    We're working with a mechanical engineering professor (Troy Munro) to use semiconductor nanoparticles as temperature sensors. The wavelengths of light present in the nanoparticles' photoluminescence (aka fluorescence), and the time it takes for the luminescence to be emitted after the electrons have been excited both depend on the temperature. By characterizing the nanoparticles’ photoluminescence spectrum in both wavelength and time as a function of temperature, we hope to be able to use the nanoparticles as non-invasive temperature sensors in e.g. medical applications. For example, one could use the optical emission from nanoparticles injected into tissue to monitor temperatures as focused ultrasound is used to heat up and destroy tumors.
Robert Davis
Robert Davis (Materials Physics )
  • Biological Separations
    This work is focused on capture of cells and molecules using precision filters for the detection of cancer and antibiotic resistant bacteria. 
  • Biomolecular Electronics
    Carbon nanotubes, proteins and nucleic acids are candidate structures for self assembled molecular electronic materials for sensing and the internet of things. .
  • Nanostructures and Micromachines
    We are developing three dimensional microscale structures from vertically grown nanotube forests. We are using films of carbon atoms, few atoms thick, to make ultrastrong materials. 
Dennis Della Corte
Dennis Della Corte (Materials Physics )
  • ProSPr - Protein Structure Prediction

    A cross divisional team of physicists, computer scientists, biologists and chemists implements a novel protein structure prediction pipeline to solve one of the oldest challenges in computational biophysics: The Protein Folding Problem.

    We will apply our pipeline to a global community wide blind test in 2020 called CASP14. 

    The work entails:

    - training of convolutional neural networks

    - design of simulation algorithms

    - high performance super computer usage

    - chemical and biological evaluation of results

  • Radical SAM Engineering

    Together with the Chemistry department at BYU, we are developing  algorithms that aid the systematic design of novel enzymes.

    These enzymes can be applied to a variety of use cases, such as fertilizer production, detergent production, or drug production.

     

     

Benjamin Frandsen
Benjamin Frandsen (Materials Physics )
  • Atomic and magnetic structure investigations of quantum materials and technologically relevant materials

    One of the first steps toward understanding any given material of interest (a new superconductor, an unusual magnetic material, an energy-related compound, etc) is determining its atomic and magnetic structure. We utilize beams of x-rays, neutrons, and muons at large-scale accelerator facilities to do just that. Our primary experimental techniques include atomic and magnetic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, conventional x-ray and neutron scattering, and muon spin relaxation/rotation. A few times a year, we visit these types of facilities to collect data, and then we come back home to analyze and make sense of it all. Through this process, we hope to shed light on the origin of the material's properties by gaining a detailed understanding of the local and average atomic and magnetic structure. If you are interested, please reach out and we can discuss if a spot is available!

  • Developing open source, python-based software for investigating atomic and magnetic structure

    Data are only useful if we can understand them, and to understand them, we often need specialized tools. We are currently developing open source, python-based software tools to analyze experimental data collected from condensed matter experiments using x-ray, neutron, and muon beams. The software will maximize research effectiveness and enable new methods of analysis not only for our own research group, but also for the wider community of condensed matter physicists using similar types of experimental methods. If you are interested, please reach out and we can discuss if a spot is available! 

  • Investigating the structure of molten salts for alternative nuclear reactor designs

    Molten salt reactors (MSRs) are a promising nuclear reactor design concept in which molten ionic salts function as the coolant and/or fuel source in the reactor. MSRs have many potential advantages over standard designs in commercial use today, including greatly enhanced safety/security and the ability to produce critical medical radioisotopes in addition to vast amounts of carbon-free electricity. To make MSRs a reality, it is necessary to understand and predict the behavior of the salts in operating conditions. Gaining a detailed knowledge of the local structure of the molten salts on the atomic scale is an essential step in this direction, since the local interactions between constituent atoms determine the macroscopic properties. In this project, we use cutting-edge neutron and x-ray total scattering and computational modeling techniques to establish the structure of relevant molten salts. If you are interested, please reach out and we can discuss if a spot is available! 

Gus Hart
Gus Hart (Materials Physics )
  • Machine Learning for Discovering New Materials

    We are developing mathematics, algorithms, and software to discover the new materials that will define the next age of human civilization. Stone, Bronze, Iron, Steel, Silcon,...what material will define the next age? We are building a "virtual laboratory" so that artificially intelligent computers can discover the materials of tomorrow. Students with no prior experience are welcome.

  • Materials simulation: Algorithm development and applications

    Our group focuses on computer simulation of materials for the purpose of discovering new materials that have exceptional properties. There are two aspects of the research: 1) developing new approaches, algorithms, and mathematics that can be used in simulation, and 2) applying existing and new approaches to find new materials. Both aspects are challenging and require participating students to move far outside their comfort zone and learn things that won't be part of a regular physics or CS degree. Students with no prior experience are welcome.

Mark Transtrum
Mark Transtrum (Materials Physics )
  • Computational methods for exploring high-dimensional parameter spaces
    Modern computers enable large models of complex processes.  These models often involve a large number of parameters and a relevant question is often how the model's behavior depends on the parameter values.  Because the parameter space is high-dimensional, a brute force search will never be possible for models with more than a few parameters.  We are developing novel computational methods for efficiently and intelligently exploring these high-dimensional parameter spaces.  This project uses theoretical insights based on information theory and applies sophisticated techniques in computational differential geometry, automatic differentiation, and topology with high-performance computing.  Our goal is to improve algorithms for fitting models to data, performing statistical sampling, and classifying regimes of distinct model behaviors. 
  • Information theory of multi-parameter models
    Mathematical modeling is a central component of nearly all scientific inquiry.  Parsimonious representations of physical systems, together with robust methods for interacting with them, is one of the primary engines of scientific progress.  Much of the work in our group involves developing new methods, both theoretical and computational, for improving the predictive performance of complex multi-parameter models.  Our research explores the mathematical structures that enable predictive modeling.  We use information theory, statistics, differential geometry, and topology, as well as relevant physical laws from a variety of fields to better understand data, models, and the relationship between reductionism and emergence.
  • Machine Learning on Acoustic data sets
    Sound is one of the fundamental ways we observe our environment.  In collaboration with acousticians at BYU and Blue Ridge Research and Consulting, we use machine learning techniques to predict ambient sound levels from environmental parameters (such as the distance to a road or local population densities).  Our models will ultimately be useful for a variety of applications including military mission planning, public health, urban development, and ecology.  We also use machine learning to predict crowd dynamics from acoustic data sets.  Can analysis of acoustic data collected at sporting events be used to infer the shifting mood of a diverse crowd?  If so, can acoustic monitoring be used to improve law enforcement responses to crowds before they become violent?
  • Modeling Complex Biological Systems
    Biological systems are rich in the types of behavior they can exhibit.  This is enabled through a complex web of components.  In the case of development biology, the relevant components are networks of chemical reactions while in neuroscience, it is a combination of electrical and biochemical signals.  In both cases, the complex system responds to external stimuli and performs calculations to formulate an appropriate response.  The complexity of these systems is overwhelming.  New theoretical and computational tools are needed to organize our knowledge of these processes and compress it into a coherent theory.  Our research tries to develop minimal models from these "parts lists" in order to summarize and organize our understanding of biological and neurological processes.
  • Modeling Complex Energy Systems
    Models of energy systems involve a large number of heterogeneous components connected in complex networks.  Detailed models of these systems constructed from physical first principles are similarly complicated and involve a large number of unknown parameters.  In spite of their detail and complexity, models often have limited predictive capability because it is difficult to identify the model, i.e., find accurate values for all of the parameters.  Our goals it develop models that are sufficiently complex to capture the rich behavior of real power systems, but simple enough so that all the parameters can be learned from data.
  • Superconducting Materials for next generation particle accelerators
    Particle accelerators are are foundational technology in modern science, enabling fundamental research in facilities such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), as well as providing some of our best sources of coherent x-rays for probing nanoscale structure in materials.  The same physical principles underly other technologies such as electron microscopy. Superconducting resonance cavities are the enabling technology that allows subatomic particles to be accelerated to near light speeds.  In collaboration with researchers at the Center for Bright Beams (cbb.cornell.edu), we are working to better understand materials properties of superconductors in order to lay the foundation for the next generation of particle accelerators.  Our work uses high performance computing to solve equations that describe how specific materials respond to applied magnetic fields, accounting for details such as surface roughness, grain boundaries, and material inhomogeneities.
Richard Vanfleet
Richard Vanfleet (Materials Physics )
  • Atomic and near atomic scale studies of materials by Transmission Electron Microscopy.
    We attempt to determine in as direct observational way as possible the way materials actually chose to arrange themselves. This is often in contrast to how man has attempted to arrange them. We are interested in the structural arrangement of atoms as well as the elemental and bonding arrangements of atoms within nanometer scale features of the sample. An undergraduate would learn to prepare samples for TEM analysis as well as learn the basics of TEM operation to analyze their samples in the TEM.
Adam Bennion
Adam Bennion (Teaching and Education)
  • Science Education Research

    We work on science education research questions that investigate the impact our methods courses have on the beliefs and practices of future science teachers. Currently we are studying science teacher beliefs, the impacts of mentored undergraduate research opportunities, and connections between the science and engineering practices in relation to preservice teacher pedagogical content knowledge. 

Eric Hirschmann
Eric Hirschmann (Theoretical and Mathematical)
  • Charged black holes in higher dimensions
    The Kerr-Newman black hole is the charged, rotating black hole in 4 dimensions.  The 5 dimensional version is not known.  Using numerical techniques we are trying to construct it.  
  • General relativisitic equilibrium models of magnetars

    We would like to construct axisymmetric, general relativistic, equilibrium models of neutron stars with ultra-strong magnetic fields (magnetars).  Physics inputs include poloidal and toroidal magnetic fields, realistic equations of state for the matter, differential rotation and convective motions.  

  • General relativistic compact binaries

    We are interested in all aspects of compact object binary mergers (black holes and neutron stars).  This includes predicting the gravitational and electromagnetic radiation from such systems as well as constraining the properties of dense matter in such mergers.

    This work involves large scale computation and necessitates developing numerical algorithms for solving the nonlinear partial differential equations of general relativity and radiation magnetohydrodynamics.   

  • Relativistic magnetohydrodynamics

    Past, present and future projects include

    1.   Establishing the characteristic structure of the equations of general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD) in different formulations.
    2.   Studying the instabilities and waves associated with this system in different geometries.  
    3.   Developing constraint preserving boundary conditions for GRMHD.
    4.   Developing simulations in 1D, 2D and 3D for flat space MHD.  
David Neilsen
David Neilsen (Theoretical and Mathematical)
  • General Relativity
    General relativity describes gravitational phenomena geometrically as curvature in spacetime: Matter curves space, and the spacetime curvature affects matter. General relativity predicts that accelerating objects can emit gravitational radiation. While this radiation is typically extremely weak, some astrophysical systems, such as colliding black holes or neutron stars, may emit gravitational waves that we can detect on Earth. Large, kilometer scale laser interferometers, such as LIGO, are being constructed to study gravitational wave signals from these events. Unfortunately, we currently know very little about the radiation expected from the regions of spacetime with the strongest (nonlinear) gravitational fields. I study computational methods for solving the Einstein equations for these strong-field gravitational wave sources. Various projects are available to investigate black hole spacetimes, black hole formation, and properties of the Einstein equations. All projects require writing, testing, and running computer codes to investigate nonlinear gravitational phenomena.
  • Numerical methods
    Research with the Einstein equations and RFD requires sophisticated numerical methods and techniques (as well as cheats and tricks). Some techniques include adaptive mesh refinement (AMR), parallel computing, high-resolution shock-capturing methods for fluid equations. Some systems, such as moving black holes, may naturally be solved in multiple reference frames simultaneously. I am investigating the use of overlapping computational grids for these problems. One particular interest is combining modern fluid methods with overlapping grids.
  • Relativistic fluid dynamics (RFD)
    Neutron star collapse, supernovae, gamma-ray sources, etc., are some of the exciting topics in relativistic astrophysics, and the perfect fluid is the fundamental model for all of these. I study relativistic perfect fluids near black holes using computational methods. In particular, Eric Hirschmann, Steven Millward and I at BYU are studying a magnetized fluid around a black hole with computational Magneto-Hydrodynamics (MHD). Various computational projects are available in RFD and MHD, which require writing, testing and running computer programs to model relativistic fluids.
Chris Verhaaren
Chris Verhaaren (Theoretical and Mathematical)