CRACKS AND SPARKS · Path selection in dielectric breakdown and fracture

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Project objective

Dr. Robert Deegan, an Irish national, has relocated from USA to the UK to take the position of lecturer at in the School of Mathematics at the University of Bristol. The aim of his research is to study singularities in a variety of physical systems using a combination of experiment, simulation, and theory. Singularities are common and occur when some physical quantity becomes infinite. The behaviour of singularities teaches us about the molecular structure of matter, and raises new challenges for multi-sca le modelling. The particular realizations of singularities we plan to study are the divergence of the stress at the tip of a moving, and of the electric field at the boundary of an electrical discharge. The novelty of this approach lies in the emphasis on common features exhibited by cracks and sparks, phenomena which are studied almost exclusively by very different scientific communities. The School of Mathematics at the University of Bristol provides a strong theoretical base for this program, and has com mitted itself to developing an experimental program by hiring Dr. Deegan. Furthermore, the University of Bristol is amply equipped with the scientific talent, the technical facilities and know-how to successfully undertake this project. It is expected that this project will provide a unique research program that will enhance the stature of European research, will generate results that are directly applicable to industrial problems, and will strengthen and grow new bonds with other European research centres.

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Participants

• UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL · BRISTOL, CLIFTONCoordinatorUnited Kingdom

Links

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