HEMI Seminar: Daniel Eakins

“Recent developments towards dynamic X-ray probing of extreme physical states”

Bio:
Daniel Eakins is an experimental physicist working at the interface of “extreme” materials science, shock physics and advanced diagnostic techniques including the pioneering use of free electron lasers and betatron x-ray radiation to probe the internal structure and dynamics of shock compressed matter. He joined Imperial as a Lecturer in January 2010 with a position fully funded by AWE as part of the Institute of Shock Physics (ISP). Since arriving at Imperial College, Dr. Eakins has been instrumental in the development of a world-leading array of experimental and diagnostic platforms for high-rate physics, which push the boundaries of measurements of extreme physical phenomena under impulsive loading. His dual background in shock physics and optics has led to new and exciting possibilities for advanced laser-based probing of gas-gun impact scenarios, improving the breadth and quality of information extracted from short-lived dynamic conditions for enhanced detail of, for example, equation-of-state and dynamic strength. Of special note is his pioneering work on high-resolution synchrotron-based X-ray probing of high-rate processes, which allows direct access to the interior of shocked high-Z materials. In addition to exploring new diagnostics, Dr. Eakins’ primary research themes include investigation of dynamic material strength, from its lattice-level origins through to ultimate failure at the bulk scale. Following on from research initiated while at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Dr. Eakins utilizes the comprehensive range of loading platforms at the ISP to explore the role of evolving defect configurations on ultrafast stress relaxation from the few um to several mm scale, and uniquely, across a wide breadth of low and high temperatures.

Dr. Eakins sits on the Governing Board of DYMAT, the premier European society for the Dynamic Behaviour of Materials, has served as Member-At-Large for the American Physical Society Topical Group on the Shock Compression of Condensed Matter, and has held visiting scientist positions at both LANL and LLNL. Dr. Eakins is currently the Deputy Director of the Institute of Shock Physics, and is very active in external teaching and engagement, having organised two short courses on Time-Resolved Diagnostics and Spatially-resolved Velocimetry, and a conference celebrating the life of Bertram Hopkinson, the proceedings for which he served as lead editor.

Seminar will be held in Malone Hall, JHU campus, Room G33/35.