Diffraction, small-angle scattering, and reflectometry are ideal methods for studying structure and organization from the atomic to the micron length scales, and neutron spectroscopic methods characterize self and collective motions from picosecond to microsecond timescales. These techniques are applicable to the length and time scales intrinsic to soft matter and biological systems but, unlike most other methods, are uniquely sensitive to hydrogen, an atom abundantly present in biological and soft condensed materials.
Researchers in Biological Physics
Research Assistant Professor
UT Department of Physics & Astronomy
Assistant Professor
UT Department of Physics & Astronomy
Senior Neutron Scattering Scientist
ORNL Neutron Scattering Division
Assistant Professor
UT Department of Physics & Astronomy
Recent Highlights
-
Physical Insights Into Biological Memory Using Phospholipid Membranes
We demonstrated that electrical stimulation can modify the characteristics of the lipid membrane, indicating a novel mechanism for storing memory in the human brain. Continue Reading →
-
Cations Control Lipid Bilayer Memcapacitance Associated with Long-Term Potentiation
Long term potentiation (LTP) an important feature of learning and memory in the brain is sensitive to different salts (KCl, NaCl, LiCl, and TmCl3), with LiCl and TmCl3 having the most profound effect in depressing LTP, relative to KCl. Continue Reading →
-
Biomembrane research findings could advance understanding of computing and human memory
While studying how bio-inspired materials might inform the design of next-generation computers, scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory achieved a first-of-its-kind result that could have big implications for both edge computing and human health. Continue Reading →