New applications of scientific computing for solid and fluid mechanics problems include simulation of virtual materials in movie visual effects and virtual surgery. Both disciplines demand physically realistic dynamics for materials like water, smoke, fire, and soft tissues. New algorithms are required for each area. Professor Teran will speak about the simulation techniques required in these fields and will share some recent results including: simulated surgical repair of biomechanical soft tissues; extreme deformation of elastic objects with contact; high resolution incompressible flow; and clothing and hair dynamics. He will also discuss a new algorithm used for simulating the dynamics of snow in Disney’s animated feature film, “Frozen”. There will be a reception immediately following the talk.
Joseph Teran is a professor of applied mathematics at UCLA. His research is focused on numerical methods for partial differential equations arising in classical physics. This includes computational solids, computational fluids, multi-material interactions, fracture dynamics and computational biomechanics. Exciting applications of his work arise in virtual surgery and movie special effects with Walt Disney Animation. Professor Teran is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. He was a recipient of a 2011 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) and a 2010 Young Investigator award from the Office of Naval Research. In 2008, Discover Magazine named him one of the 50 “Best Brains in Science”.