Summer Student Programmes

Defect dynamics in active media

Department
Physics
Supervisor
Vijayakumar Chikkadi
Apply before
20 Feb, 2026 05:00 pm
 
Category
Experimental
Duration
2 months

The aim of the project is to investigate the unconventional feature of ordering of defect in colloidal crystals driven by active fluids, such as suspensions of motile E. coli. Unlike traditional equilibrium systems, active systems inject energy at the microscale, leading to persistent fluctuations, and steady states that are not governed by thermodynamic energy minimization. These active effects give rise to defect ordering, which challenges classical theories of defect ordering. The student will be studying related aspects.

Required knowledge

Statistical mechanics I and II

Required skills

Programming in Python


Apply now

IISER Pune invites applications from research oriented students to participate in its Summer Student Programmes. Successful applicants will have an opportunity to participate in the research programmes of IISER-Pune faculty. Research activities in IISER-Pune span both theory and experiment in Biology, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth and Climate Science, Mathematics, Humanities, Physics and Earth Sciences with a strong focus on interdisciplinary research. These summer projects are also an opportunity for students to evaluate the suitability of various programmes at IISER-Pune (Integrated PhD and PhD) for future career choice.

This application form is meant for non-IISER Pune students.
This web registration process is not meant for Summer fellows selected for IISER-Pune through other fellowship programmes like IASc and JNCASR.


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