We are pleased to present Professor Debra J. Bernhardt to speak on Understanding the world around us.

Time:   11am to 12pm

Date:    23 March 2023

Where: AIBN Level 1 Seminar Room (#132)

Zoom:  https://uqz.zoom.us/j/84905769928

Abstract

The universe is comprised of systems that are constantly change with time or responding to a driving force – the universe is therefore out of equilibrium (a so-called nonequilibrium system). Examples are all around us – a battery discharging, cell growth, transport across a membrane, a person aging or self-assembly due to an electric field.  Despite this, a general, fundamental understanding of these nonequilibrium systems at the atomic or molecular level has eluded scientists to date.  Although there are often ways to get by without this, a better understanding will enable new scientific advances. In this talk I will highlight some of the theoretical problems, discuss some of the ways around them and paths towards a greater understanding and, ultimately, new technologies. 

Bio

 

Professor Bernhardt's research interests focus on the use of a range of theoretical and computational approaches to develop a fundamental understanding of the behaviour of matter, and application of these approaches to a wide range of problems including transport in nanopores, fluctuation phenomena, design of materials, gas separation, energy storage and conversion.

Professor Bernhardt is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. She leads the theoretical and computational molecular science research in the AIBN. Professor Bernhardt has held research appointments at the University of Basel, Switzerland; the Australian National University; and Griffith University, where she was the founding director of the Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre. While at Griffith University in 2011, Professor Bernhardt was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award for Research Leadership. She is the recipient of the 2004 Australian Journal of Chemistry Award for Innovative Work in Physical Chemistry by a Younger Scientist and the 2017 Association of Molecular Modellers of Australasia Medal. In 2019 she was awarded an ARC Australian Laureate Fellowship.

About AIBN Seminar Series

The AIBN Seminar series showcases a range of seminars across different topics and disciplines