Sandra M. Troian
Source: https://aph.caltech.edu/people/stroian Parent: https://aph.caltech.edu/about/contact
Administrative Assistant
Name:
Christine E. (Christy) Jenstad
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 626-395-2132
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Sandra M. Troian
Professor of Applied Physics, Aeronautics, and Mechanical Engineering
B.A., Harvard University, 1980; M.S., Cornell University, 1984; Ph.D., 1987. Moore Distinguished Scholar, Caltech, 2004-05; Professor, 2006-.
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Research Overview
Prof. Troian's current research focuses on controlling the flow of liquid, heat or light in micro/nanoscale systems by spatiotemporal modulation of surface forces involving Maxwell, capillary, thermocapillary, Marangoni or van der Waals fields. Studies rely on mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of high-order nonlinear PDEs with and without noise; particle based modeling and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation; and laboratory experimentation based on various microscopy and image processing techniques. Applications include
- 3D sculpting of micro-optical arrays for spatial or temporal beam shaping
- Electrohydrodynamic micropropulsion systems for space precision pointing
- Liquid cooling strategies for minimizing thermal boundary resistance in power dense CPUs
- Thermal rectification in small scale systems
- Self-propulsion mechanisms in active matter like Interfacial swimmers.
Research Summary: Transport phenomena in micro/nanoscale systems mediated by surface forces; Analysis and stability of micro/nanofluidic systems governed by high-order nonlinear PDEs; Electrohydrodynamic modeling for space micropropulsion systems; Noise and stochastic resonance; Mode filtering in micro-optical arrays; Thermal boundary resistance, thermal rectification and the Kapitza effect.
View more publications on feeds.library.caltech.edu
A complete list of publications can be found at http://www.troian.caltech.edu/index.html#publications
Related Courses
2025-26
APh/MS/ME 105 abc – States of Matter
APh/Ph 112 – Stochastic Resonance Phenomena and the Essential Role of Noise
2022-23
APh/Ph 112 ab – Noise and Stochastic Resonance