Computational: Modeling and Simulation


Computational materials science uses modeling and simulation to study material behavior and properties at length scales ranging from atomic to mesoscale and ultimately to the engineering scale. At UF, computational materials science research focuses on multiple scientifically challenging areas important for applications, including 2D materials, defects and interfaces, superconductivity, materials in extreme conditions, and nuclear materials. We also take advantage of UF’s HiperGator supercomputer in our work.

Faculty

Photo of Yijia Gu Yijia Gu Assistant Professor
352-273-0292

 

Education: Ph.D. 2014, Pennsylvania State University

Research Interest: Computational materials, CALPHAD, Phase-field method, Machine learning, Ferroelectric materials, Physical metallurgy, Recycling aluminum, Additive manufacturing, Microstructure evolution, Rapid solidification, Phase transformation

Photo of Richard Hennig Richard Hennig Professor, Alumni Professor of Materials Science & Engineering
(352) 392-7327

 

Education: Ph.D., 2000, Washington University in St. Louis

Research interests: AI-driven and ab-initio materials science; deep learning and generative models for materials prediction and inverse design; interpretable machine-learning force fields; quantum and superconducting materials; molecular magnetic qubits and spin coherence; electronic-structure and phonon-based modeling of electron–phonon coupling; electrochemical and solid–liquid interfaces; and open computational frameworks linking predictive AI, first-principles simulation, and experiment.…

Photo of Heyi Liang Heyi Liang Assistant Professor 

Education: Ph.D. 2019, University of Akron

Research Interest: Computational Soft Materials, Structure-Property Relation of Soft Materials, Polymer Physics, Bio-Inspired and Biomimetic Materials, Sustainable Polymers, Colloidal Suspensions.

Website: The Liang Lab

Photo of Simon R. Phillpot Simon Phillpot Associate Department Chair, Distinguished Professor
(352) 846-3782

 

Education: Ph.D., 1985, University of Florida

Research Interests: Computational materials science, nuclear materials, defect properties, framework materials, sequestration of radionuclides, layered materials, simulation methodologies

Lab Website: Phillpot Research Group

Photo of Michael Tonks Michael Tonks Interim Department Chair, Professor, Alumni Professor of Materials Science & Engineering
(352) 846-3779

Ph.D., 2008, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Research Interests: Computational materials science, Computational mechanics, Coevolution of microstructure and properties, Materials in Harsh Environments, Mesoscale modeling and simulation, Nuclear materials, Numerical methods

Lab Website: Tonks Research Group

Photo of Justin Watson Justin Watson Associate Professor
(352) 273-0241

Ph.D., 2010, Penn State University

Research Interests: Reactor Kinetics and Dynamics, Neutronics, Thermal Hydraulics, Multiphysics Simulation, Advanced Numerical Methods, Applied Mathematics, Advanced Code Coupling Techniques, Scientific Software Development, High Performance Computing

Lab Website: Florida Advanced Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation (FAMMoS) Lab


Computational | Nuclear Engineering Faculty

Photo of Yijia Gu Yijia Gu Assistant Professor
352-273-0292

 

Education: Ph.D. 2014, Pennsylvania State University

Research Interest: Computational materials, CALPHAD, Phase-field method, Machine learning, Ferroelectric materials, Physical metallurgy, Recycling aluminum, Additive manufacturing, Microstructure evolution, Rapid solidification, Phase transformation

Photo of Richard Hennig Richard Hennig Professor, Alumni Professor of Materials Science & Engineering
(352) 392-7327

 

Education: Ph.D., 2000, Washington University in St. Louis

Research interests: AI-driven and ab-initio materials science; deep learning and generative models for materials prediction and inverse design; interpretable machine-learning force fields; quantum and superconducting materials; molecular magnetic qubits and spin coherence; electronic-structure and phonon-based modeling of electron–phonon coupling; electrochemical and solid–liquid interfaces; and open computational frameworks linking predictive AI, first-principles simulation, and experiment.…

Photo of Heyi Liang Heyi Liang Assistant Professor 

Education: Ph.D. 2019, University of Akron

Research Interest: Computational Soft Materials, Structure-Property Relation of Soft Materials, Polymer Physics, Bio-Inspired and Biomimetic Materials, Sustainable Polymers, Colloidal Suspensions.

Website: The Liang Lab

Photo of Chris McDevitt Chris McDevitt Associate Professor
(352) 846-3785

 

Education: Ph.D., 2008, University of California San Diego

Research Interests: Computational plasma physics, magnetic fusion, tokamak disruptions, scientific machine learning, plasma-material interaction.

Lab Website: McDevitt Lab

Photo of Michael Tonks Michael Tonks Interim Department Chair, Professor, Alumni Professor of Materials Science & Engineering
(352) 846-3779

Ph.D., 2008, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Research Interests: Computational materials science, Computational mechanics, Coevolution of microstructure and properties, Materials in Harsh Environments, Mesoscale modeling and simulation, Nuclear materials, Numerical methods

Lab Website: Tonks Research Group

Photo of Justin Watson Justin Watson Associate Professor
(352) 273-0241

Ph.D., 2010, Penn State University

Research Interests: Reactor Kinetics and Dynamics, Neutronics, Thermal Hydraulics, Multiphysics Simulation, Advanced Numerical Methods, Applied Mathematics, Advanced Code Coupling Techniques, Scientific Software Development, High Performance Computing

Lab Website: Florida Advanced Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation (FAMMoS) Lab