MSEE Seminar: Jon Belof, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Join us for a seminar with Dr. Jon Belof, Material Dynamics and Kinetics Group Leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, titled “Metastable Phases Far from Equilibrium: A New Frontier in Dynamic Material Science”.

The seminar will begin at 3pm ET on September 7, 2021.

Please contact Rachel Wise for connection information.

Abstract: One of the greatest challenges of modern science is the understanding of matter far from equilibrium.  Modern techniques of applying rapid compression – via drivers that have relative timescales varying by many orders of magnitude – offer the unique possibility of manipulating kinetic pathways with the goal of generating specific configurations of matter.  At LLNL we have been examining the theoretical underpinnings of transformational pathways far from equilibrium, with a focus on the nucleation and growth of potential metastable solid phases from liquid systems.  Through advanced simulation techniques developed recently, we have found several interesting features of phase transitions as they occur under extreme conditions, with predictions showing that metastable phases are indeed generated along compression pathways, that they might be stabilized, and suggestions for how new x-ray sources and experimental conditions can be brought to bear on these important, fundamental questions.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Jon Belof leads the Equation of State theory program within the Advanced Simulation and Computing area of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).  He is also the group leader for the Material Dynamics and Kinetics group in the Materials Science Division, group leader in the Energetic Materials Center, and principal investigator for several projects at LLNL focused on phase transformations, time-dependence, shock physics and complex hydrodynamic behavior.  He joined LLNL in 2010 as a postdoctoral fellow in the Weapons and Complex Integration Directorate and moved up the ranks, becoming a group leader of theoretical physics in the nuclear weapons program from 2016-2018.  Jon has a long track record of developing large-scale simulation codes to investigate new theories, with expertise in building world-class teams that innovate in order to meet strategic goals.  Jon has authored or co-authored > 70 papers and technical reports and > 80 invited and contributed talks.  From 1995-2005, Jon’s professional role was to provide technical leadership in the corporate/startup world, including as 9th employee of the national security company NETSEC, Inc.  Jon earned his B.A. in Chemistry (2005) and Ph.D. (2009) in Physical Chemistry from the University of South Florida and was a postdoctoral researcher first working with Draper Laboratory/USF on nanomaterials for the detection of chemical weapons and then went on to study high energy density physics as a postdoc at LLNL.  Dr. Belof has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Presidential Early Career Award (2017), Kavli Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (2019), NNSA Defense Programs Award of Excellence (2019) and Distinguished Alumni Award from USF (2020).