Materials Science

Richard Huang investigates how DNA nanostructures deform under uneven hydrodynamic forces, a question relevant to drug delivery, vaccines and biosensors. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics and mechanical models first examine linear and circular DNA in extensional flow. Drag concentrates tension near the middle of linear duplexes, disrupting base pairs and causing overstretching. Deforming minicircles straighten along their sides while concentrating bending into opposing tips and localized kinks. Models based on DNA elasticity and hydrodynamic-force distributions explain these responses, then extend to wireframe DNA origami to study force transmission and how local structural transitions produce whole-particle deformation. The results inform structures designed for stability or controlled deformation in flow. Online via Zoom. Friday 2 October 2026, 12:00–13:00 EDT (America/New_York; UTC−4). Open the Zoom link on the official event page; the audience explicitly includes the public. Richard Huang is affiliated with MIT. Organized by MIT Department of Mathematics — Computational Research in Boston and Beyond Seminar.

Paul S. Weiss (UCLA) explores low-energy interactions and balanced cycling in natural systems as models for efficient synthetic devices and recycling. Because the relevant energies fall below visible-photon energies, tunnelling spectroscopy and imaging are used to probe these processes. Replicating biochemical cycling and low-energy transport could reduce the energy needed for devices and materials recovery. The work seeks missing physical principles, including spin conservation in chiral molecules and polarizability in biological and synthetic systems. This perspective has led to thermal-control advances in scale, speed and magnitude. Atomic-resolution imaging, spectroscopy and functional measurements help build precise structures while revealing heterogeneous nanoscale behaviour. The talk relates these advances to the physical, electronic, mechanical, thermal and chemical connections between materials and their surroundings that determine future nanomaterial measurements and devices.

This seminar investigates Anderson localization in subwavelength elastic periodic systems with random perturbations. For the unperturbed structure, layer-potential methods recast the eigenvalue problem as boundary integral equations, yielding asymptotic expressions for subwavelength eigenvalues and establishing a band gap above the subwavelength band. A Floquet transform then brings the perturbed problem into a periodic formulation and produces equations for resonant frequencies under general perturbations. Numerical experiments on monomer and dimer structures test agreement with the analysis. Increasing the strength and number of random perturbations demonstrates localization, providing a mathematical basis for elastic metamaterial design.

Raymundo Arróyave discusses alloy discovery guided by both metallurgical knowledge and Bayesian optimization. The approach combines physical models, high-throughput CALPHAD calculations, microstructural information and experimental feedback to search chemical and processing spaces that are difficult to explore through data alone. Examples involving high-entropy and refractory alloys address multiple objectives and constraints, including feasibility, correlated properties, uncertainty and microstructural sensitivity. The seminar then connects these decision methods to the Autonomous Robotic Metallurgist under development at his university. This platform links modular synthesis, characterization and testing with digital twins, human–robot collaboration and AI agents. The aim is a closed experimental loop in which scientific judgment and physical understanding guide automated execution.

Research high-strength steels for naval applications through integrated computational materials engineering. The project combines computational thermodynamics, data-driven modelling and physical metallurgy to accelerate alloy development. Work takes place at IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras. The initial temporary contract lasts one year and may be extended based on performance and project needs.

ACS Petroleum Research Fund Doctoral New Investigator grants provide startup support for independent faculty research in chemistry and related physical sciences with fundamental petroleum or fossil-fuel relevance. The programme supports exploratory concepts and hypotheses rather than applied research or routine methods development. USD 110,000 over two years. At least 60% supports student education and training. PI summer salary is capped at USD 8,000 per grant year, including fringe benefits. Fall 2026 proposals close on 9 October 2026 at 17:00 US Eastern time for consideration in May 2027.

NSF support for new engineering investigators at eligible non-R1 institutions to initiate research programs, build capacity and advance their careers.

The Petroleum Research Fund offers USD 125,000 over two years for established investigators to begin a genuinely new direction in fundamental petroleum-relevant research. Preliminary results are not required; extensions of an existing funded project are excluded. At least 60% of the budget supports students. Proposals are currently accepted until 5 pm US Eastern time on 9 October 2026 for consideration in May 2027.

Paul S. Weiss (UCLA) explores low-energy interactions and balanced cycling in natural systems as models for efficient synthetic devices and recycling. Because the relevant energies fall below visible-photon energies, tunnelling spectroscopy and imaging are used to probe these processes. Replicating biochemical cycling and low-energy transport could reduce the energy needed for devices and materials recovery. The work seeks missing physical principles, including spin conservation in chiral molecules and polarizability in biological and synthetic systems. This perspective has led to thermal-control advances in scale, speed and magnitude. Atomic-resolution imaging, spectroscopy and functional measurements help build precise structures while revealing heterogeneous nanoscale behaviour. The talk relates these advances to the physical, electronic, mechanical, thermal and chemical connections between materials and their surroundings that determine future nanomaterial measurements and devices.

Chemistry seminar by Prof. Yves Geerts (Université Libre de Bruxelles) on historical attempts by Pasteur and Curie to direct chiral symmetry breaking with external fields, why they failed, and how chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) under non-equilibrium conditions now enables enantiomer separation and control of molecular handedness.

Exploratory projects pair AI expertise with a domain researcher to address a specific challenge in engineering biology, advanced materials, quantum technologies, medical research or fusion energy. Outputs may include prototypes, feasibility evidence, collaborations or research roadmaps; AI-method development without domain benefit is outside scope. Projects last up to 12 months and start on 26 April 2027. Applications opened 29 September 2026 and close 1 December 2026 at 16:00 UK time. Funding remains subject to Full Business Case approval.

This meeting examines how brain-inspired hardware could reduce AI’s growing energy requirements. Researchers connect materials and memory devices with circuits, systems and applications, including sparse computation and compute-in-memory architectures that reduce data movement. Two discussion days address fundamental advances and challenges; the final day considers translation and wider impacts. Programme participants include Steve Furber, Judith Driscoll and Tony Kenyon. The meeting takes place at The Royal Society, 6–9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG, or online, on 23–25 November 2026. Times are GMT (Europe/London, UTC+0). Sessions run 09:00–17:00 on 23 and 24 November, with posters 17:00–18:00 on 23 November; the 25 November programme runs 09:30–15:15. Timings may change. Attendance is free for researchers in relevant fields, with advance Eventbrite registration required. Separate online and in-person tickets cover the discussion meeting and final-day event; attending every day is optional. Lunch costs an optional GBP 25 on each of the first two days and is free on the third. Poster proposals are due 23 October, subject to capacity.