We are a multidisciplinary team studying the (complex) mechanics and physics of (seemingly simple) material systems, especially those involving many-body contact, friction, fracture, and with complexities arising from geometries: shapes, sizes, and dimensionalities. We explore fundamental questions such as: What role does frictional contact play in controlling the macroscopic behavior of granular media? How (and why) does a fast crack behave (the way it does) in the presence of (material) heterogeneity?

Our overarching goal is to quantitatively characterize their macroscopic behaviors, understand the underlying small-scale processes, and harness this knowledge for novel engineering applications that enhance the resilience and sustainability of our built environment. To this end, we develop and apply computational and experimental techniques that integrate concepts from solid mechanics, soft matter physics, and optical diagnostics.