Title: How the same small-scale contact process connects to different large-scale mechanical properties ranging from rheology to elasticity

Author (Invited): Liuchi Li, Princeton University

Abstract:

Granular media have long been an important material system for multiple disciplines, from as fundamental as (geo) physics to as applied as (civil) engineering. More recently, it has also started to receive growing interest from the materials science community. In this talk, we discuss how the same small-scale contact process connects to different large-scale mechanical properties -- specifically rheology (a more fluid-like property) and elasticity (a more solid-like property) -- of different types of granular media ranging from (as conventional as) glass beads to (as exotic as) catenated frames. Based on these studies, we also discuss various exciting future opportunities for (granular) physics, (computational) mechanics, as well as (advanced) manufacturing.