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Professor Deegan’s research focuses on the dynamics of non-equilibrium systems. As a system, such as a fluid or a solid, is driven from equilibrium, it undergoes a series of transitions to progressively more organized dynamics. Everyday examples of this phenomenon are the bands of Jupiter, the Giant’s Causeway, and the crumpled edges of lettuce leaves. Dynamical transitions share many similarities with thermally driven phase transitions, which suggests the existence of a yet-to-be-discovered general principle for dynamical transitions equivalent to the minimum free energy principle of thermodynamics.
Professor Deegan studies dynamical transitions though table-top experiments with the aim of understanding the origin of this behavior in each specific case and in general. His research covers a broad range of phenomena from drying drops to bursting balloons to vibrated slurries. Currently, he is investigating drop impact and the instability that produces the famous Edgerton crown, the ability of vibrated drops to climb vertical surfaces, the mechanics of seed catapulting plants, and hysteretic rheologies.
Prior to joining the University of Michigan, he held positions at the University of Bristol and the Center for Nonlinear Dynamics at the University of Texas in Austin.
Selected Publications
Complexities of splashing, (R.D. Deegan, P. Brunet, & J. Eggers), Nonlinearity 21, C1-C11 (2008).
Vibration-induced climbing drops, (P. Brunet, J. Eggers, & R.D. Deegan), PRL 99, 144501 (2007).
Crumpling, Buckling, and Crackling: Elasticity of Thin Sheets, (Michael Marder, Robert D. Deegan, Eran Sharon), Phys. Today 60, 33 (2007).
Persistent Holes in a Fluid, (F. Merkt, R.D. Deegan, D. Goldman, E. Rericha, H.L. Swinney), Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 184501 (2004).
Capillary Flow as the Cause of Ring Stains from Dried Liquid Drops, (R.D. Deegan, O. Bakajin, T.F. Dupont, G. Huber, S.R. Nagel, & T.A. Witten), Nature 389, 6653 (1997).
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