Three Argonne researchers will discuss their Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) sponsored work at the LDRD Seminar Series presentation Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. in Building 212, Room A157. All are welcome to attend.
Visit the LDRD website to view upcoming seminars.
Janine Lichtenberger
“Microscale Nucleation with High-Speed Imaging and X-ray Analysis,” by Chemical Engineer Janine Lichtenberger (CFC)
Abstract
Motivated by the interest of the Department of Homeland Security in studying the nucleation and crystal growth of plutonium oxalate in real time, our group developed a microfluidic platform that enables in-situ analysis of metal oxalate precipitation. Microfluidics provides a means for high-throughput analysis under precisely controlled conditions, while keeping reagent usage to a minimum. The new microfluidic platform was successfully combined with high-speed imaging of precipitation. Additionally, materials testing was conducted at the Advanced Photon Source as part of the development of a high-intensity X-ray compatible microfluidic system to support the study of nucleation and crystal growth by advanced X-ray techniques.
Biography
Janine Lichtenberger has been a chemical engineer in the Chemical and Fuel Cycle Technology division since 2016, where her work has primarily focused on microfluidics, safeguards and primary inert gas purification for fast reactors. Prior to joining Argonne, she has worked at both Chevron and Honeywell in the areas of heterogeneous catalysis, reaction kinetics and adsorption, particularly applied to petrochemicals hydroprocessing. Lichtenberger holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of South Carolina, and a B.S. in chemical and environmental engineering from the Brandenburg Technical University of Cottbus (Germany).
Valerii Vinokour
“Non-Hermitian Theory of Out-of-Equilibrium Dynamics and Phase Transitions,” by Argonne Distinguished Fellow Valerii Vinokour (MSD)
Abstract
Theoretical understanding of most experimentally relevant physical processes, which take place under non-equilibrium conditions, is inaccessible within traditional Hamiltonian formalism. The majority of known (theoretical) approaches are of perturbative nature, focused on systems that are only slightly away from equilibrium, or limited to weakly-interacting limit. Recent developments in the theory of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics enable exact treatment of open dissipative strongly-correlated systems, paving the way for a new chapter in physics of non-equilibrium states of matter. In this talk I will present our work on the generalized description of non-equilibrium dynamics and dynamic phase transitions in various condensed matter systems, including Mott insulators, spin systems and superconductors. Our approach offers quantitative description of non-equilibrium critical phenomena and predicts non-trivial topological properties specific to non-Hermitian systems.
Biography
Valerii Vinokur holds appointment of Argonne Distinguished Fellow in the Material Science division. His research interests include superconductivity, quantum phase transitions, nonequilibrium physics, quantum information science, quantum transport, stochastic processes and mesoscopic physics.
Vinokur’s co-principal investigator, Alexey Galda, is a research scientist at James Frank Institute of the University of Chicago. His research interests include condensed matter physics, superconductivity, physics of magnetic materials and magnetism, thermodynamics, physics of nonequilibrium processes and machine learning.
Linda Young
“Elementary Electron, Hole and Ion Dynamics in Liquid Water,” by Argonne Distinguished Fellow Linda Young (PSE)
Abstract
Ionization of liquid water is a universal response accompanying interaction of radiation with matter. The cascade of electrons, ions and radicals forms the basis of solution chemistry in aqueous environments. Water is also a major component in cells, thus ionization of water is responsible for biological damage. Nevertheless, the ultrafast proton transfer reaction has not been directly observed. We use ultrafast X-rays to probe electron, hole and ion dynamics in liquid water and shed light on the structure of the hydrated electron in bulk water.
Biography
Linda Young is a Distinguished Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory and a professor of physics at the University of Chicago. She obtained her S. B. from MIT and her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. After a postdoctoral appointment at the University of Chicago, she started her research career in the Physics division at Argonne, where she has worked on problems including precision laser spectroscopy, electron scattering from polarized deuterium targets, atom trap trace analysis and X-ray interactions with matter from the linear to nonlinear regimes. She has previously served as the director of the X-ray Science division of the Advanced Photon Source and the chair of the Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics of the American Physical Society. She serves on many scientific advisory boards and panels worldwide. She has been honored as a Fellow of the American Physical Society, JILA Visiting Fellow and recently as a Helmholtz International Fellow.