Breadcrumb
Prof Stephen Wiggins
PhD Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
Office: 2.2a
Department of Mathematics
University Walk, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1TW, U.K.
Telephone:
+44 (0)117 928-7979
Extension: 87979
Mail: s.wiggins
http://lacms.maths.bris.ac.uk
Education
- BSc Physics and Mathematics
- Pittsburg State University (1980)
- MA Mathematics
- University of Wisconsin--Madison (1983)
- MSc Physics
- University of Wisconsin--Madison (1983)
- PhD Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
- Cornell University (1985)
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- Open University (2005)
Honours
- NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award, 1989.
- Stanislaw M. Ulam Visiting Scholar at the Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1989-1990.
- ONR Young Investigator Award in Applied Analysis, 1989.
Publications
Isomerization dynamics of a buckled nano beam (2012)
Peter Collins, Gregory S. Ezra, and Stephen Wiggins
Phys. Rev. E vol: 86 , Page: 056218
URL provided by the author
Eulerian Indicators Under Continuously Varying Conditions (2012)
Kevin L. McIlhany and Stephen Wiggins
Phys. Fluids vol: 24 , Page: 073601
DOI: 10.1063/1.4732152
URL provided by the author
Research Interests
Theoretical and Computational Nonlinear Dynamics
Mathematical methods for detecting and describing chaotic phenomena, local and global bifurcation theory, homoclinic and heteroclinic motions, Hamiltonian dynamics, phase space transport theory, computational methods for visualizing higher dimensional phase space structures, the development of a dynamical systems theory for transient and finite time phenomena.
Fluid Mechanics
The dynamical systems approach to mixing and transport problems in fluid flows. Applications to geophysical flows and fluids with microstructure, vortex dynamics, nonlinear waves. Control and optimization of chaotic advection in microfluidic applications.
Theoretical Chemistry
The dynamical foundations of reaction rate theory, and the role of resonances in phase space transport. Application in theoretical chemistry, classical dynamics of triatomic molecules, phase space structure, transport and energy flow, interaction of atoms and molecules with electromagnetic radiation.
Research Themes
Sample Research Topic
Capture of irregular moons of giant planets
We have recently discovered that irregular satellites are captured in a thin spatial region where orbits are chaotic. Dissipation switches these long-lived chaotic orbits into nearby regular (non-chaotic) zones from which escape is impossible.