# Sandra M. Troian

**Source**: https://aph.caltech.edu/people/stroian?back_url=%2Fpeople
**Parent**: https://aph.caltech.edu/people

[Research Website](http://www.troian.caltech.edu)

[Personal Website](http://www.troian.caltech.edu)

[ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1224-6377)

Administrative Assistant

Name:

Christine E. (Christy) Jenstad

Email:
[[email protected]](https://aph.caltech.edu/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#21424b444f525540456142404d554442490f444554)

Phone:
[626-395-2132](tel:+16263952132)

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Sandra M. Troian

## 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-.*

- Profile
- Publications
- Teaching

#### 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](https://feeds.library.caltech.edu/people/Troian-S-M/)

A complete list of publications can be found at [**http://www.troian.caltech.edu/index.html#publications**](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