From criticality in disordered solids to the mechanics of living cells —
we study the physics of instability across scales.
Our research develops the theoretical and computational tools to predict instability in complex material systems: statistical precursors to fracture in disordered solids, failure mode selection in soft and porous media, and force-driven shape changes in living cells. The common language is mechanics and statistical physics.
Universal statistical signatures of failure in disordered solids — from brittle fracture to muscle mechanics.
Damage localization as bifurcation — predicting which fracture mode a pressurized gel or elastomer selects.
Active shell theory of the cell cortex — connecting molecular-scale forces to division, motility, and morphogenesis.