Lecture

Cracking the glass mystery

Dr. Liesbeth Janssen
Wednesday, September 28 2022, 12:40 PM - 1:20 PM
Blauwe Zaal, Auditorium
Price: Free (Student) Free (Others)

Dr. Liesbeth Janssen TU/e examines one of the most intriguing unsolved phenomena in physics: the behavior of glassy materials. Unraveling this mystery will bring numerous applications within reach.

In physics, the three best-known states of matter are gas, liquid and solid. But there is also a phase that looks like both a liquid and a solid at the same time: the glass phase. The macroscopic behavior of this phase doesn’t seem to match with the material’s atomic structure at all; while the material feels hard, it lacks a regular crystalline structure. Physicists still cannot explain the transition from a liquid to this special solid form; to this day, it remains a mystery.

Since 2012, theoretical physicist dr. Liesbeth Janssen tries to better understand and eventually solve the phenomenon. She works on the development of a new theory – built completely from first principles that should predict where and how the transition to the glass phase occurs based on a single input: the structure of the material. Solving the glass mystery will bring numerous applications within reach, like fast-working computer chips or recyclable plastic. The glass phase can even help us get a better grasp on mechanisms behind asthma and cancer metastasis.

Ticket reservation recommended
To be assured of a seat, we recommend reserving a ticket (black "order" button). 
NOTE: This program will not be live streamed. 

SG & USE registration
Please register your participation upon arrival when attending the program.  You can register by scanning your student card before the start of the program at the venue.

More information about SG & USE can be found here.

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