Physics professor to speak about density functional theory Oct. 18
The title of the lecture is "Understanding liquid water from first principles: A tale of two liquids"
Water is most commonly known as having three states of matter: liquid, gas or solid. However, there are possibly more states than just those three.
Stony Brook University professor Marivi Fernandez-Serra will discuss the various thermodynamic and structural changes water can undergo in her lecture at 4 p.m. Oct. 18 in Dow Science Building 107. A reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. in Dow 208 before the lecture.
Fernandez-Serra studies the anomalies that occur during changes in liquids and believes these abnormalities leave incomplete data, leaving scientists a field to further study and add to the phase diagram of both liquid water and ice.
Her lecture will focus on ways to solve the gaps that have been left in the diagram by using density functional theory. She will also demonstrate the interaction of water between metal and semiconductors.
Physics faculty member Juan Peralta said those in attendance will learn many of different phases of water that we can’t identify to the naked eye. Participants will also get a chance to see sophisticated tools used to demonstrate simulations and delve further into density functional theory.
“Understanding water will teach us a lot of different things about ourselves and how nature works,” Peralta said.
The next upcoming event for the physics department will give those who attend a chance to work in the labs of the physics faculty on Nov. 1
The event is free and open to the public.
