Dynamics of micron and nanometre scale mechanical devices in fluid with applications to atomic and molecular sensing

John Sader
ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne


3:30pm - March 14, 2019 - CCIS L2 190

Abstract:

The responsivity of mechanical devices to environmental changes can be enhanced through miniaturisation. This has led to some key advances in nanoscience, which include the imaging of surfaces with atomic and molecular resolution, measurement of inertial mass at the atomic scale and monitoring of biological processes in liquid. In this talk, I will give an overview of work conducted in our group to explore the effects and utilisation of fluid immersion of these devices. This will include a new modality of NEMS mass spectrometry that intrinsically enables imaging, the unexpected effects of noncontinuum behaviour of gases at nanometre scales and the utilisation of fluid-structure interactions for directed propulsion of nanoparticles.

Biography:

John Sader is a Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Melbourne and a chief investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science. He gained his Bachelor of Engineering and PhD in electrical engineering at the University of New South Wales. As an applied mathematician he collaborates broadly and has held many visiting positions around the world, including KNI Distinguished Visiting Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology (USA) and Adjunct Professor of Physics at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland). He is well known for developing Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) methods, which are implemented in commercial AFMs worldwide. One technique is known as the "Sader method". He leads a theory group that explores a range of areas, including the dynamic response of nanoparticles under femtosecond laser excitation, fluid and solid mechanics of nanoelectromechanical devices, high and low Reynolds number flows and rarefied gas dynamics generated in nanoscale systems. He has published >150 papers that have received >10,000 citations (GS).