Hi Group,
Please note that we have an invited speaker talk this afternoon at 2pm in
the Division Room.
Quantizing Nonholonomic Mechanical Systems
Prof. Oscar E. Fernandez
Department of Mathematics
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA 02482
Recent developments in nanomanufacturing have produced molecular “nanocars”
that “roll” on (usually) gold surfaces. Macroscopically, these nanocars are
just cars, which are classic examples of nonholonomic systems—mechanical
systems subject to non-integrable velocity constraints.
Data on the energy required to set the nanocars in motion exists, but no
theory of “quantum nonholonomic mechanics” exists. In this talk I will
discuss my recent article developing such a theory for particular classes
of nonholonomic systems, and my current work on extending that theory to
develop a theoretical model for nanocars’ quantum dynamics.
Best,
Cynthia
Cynthia M. Chew
Faculty Assistant | Aspuru-Guzik Research Group
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology | Harvard University
12 Oxford Street | Mallinckrodt 112 | Cambridge, MA 02138
617.496.1716 office | 617.496.9411 fax
http://aspuru.chem.harvard.edu/