The study of complex materials and characterization of their mechanical properties has a long history, with the modern founding of the term “rheology,” dating to 1929. At its core, rheology looks to understand what internal mechanisms dictate a materials response to deformation. In the Christopher lab, we focus on developing novel rheological, microscopy, microfluidic, and simulation methods to better understand the mechanisms that control viscoelasticity of high interface systems, biofilms, and colloidal suspensions. We apply what we learn to improve the utility and better control these materials for commercial product development, medical treatment, and advanced manufacturing. Today, I will give a general overview of several projects my lab has tackled in my time at Texas Tech,
Dr. Christopher is the associate chair of graduate studies and a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech University, where he has worked since 2011. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering (2002) and a BA in Film (2003) from Columbia University. He attended Carnegie Mellon and graduated with a PhD in Mechanical engineering and a MS in Chemical Engineering in 2008. Afterwards, he spent 2 years in the Polymers Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology as a NRC Postdoc. His research focuses on studying the rheology and flow of complex fluids and interfaces through uniquely developed microfluidics, rheology, and computational tools. Since beginning work at Texas Tech, he has been named a Whitacre Research Fellow and won the TA Distinguished Young Rheologist award.
Event Date: February 1, 2024