(Nandkishore, Rahul Mahajan - 2017) -- Sloan Research Fellowship-Physics
Overview
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How does the strange world of quantum mechanics, with its uncertainty and entanglement, interact with the seemingly ordered everyday reality of human beings? This is a question that Rahul Nandkishore seeks to answer through his research into emergent phenomena in complex systems. Emergent phenomena are entities or effects that arise from the interactions of smaller connected subsystems; they display surprising and novel characteristics not already detectable in the smaller systems. Nandkishore studies systems with manifold bodies and components characterized by strong degrees of interaction and randomness. His research promises to bolster investigation into technologies capable of harnessing quantum mechanics to produce a new generation of better, more powerful, devices. He also researches a special quantum particle called a Dirac fermion, and his theories will be helpful in predicting future emergent phenomena that may arise from recently discovered classes of materials, such as graphene. Professor Nandkishore’s research has brought him to numerous conferences, workshops and presentations, including several that he organized himself. He has published widely, including in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Recent awards include the 2016 U.S. Air Force Office of Sponsored Research Young Investigator Award and a 2016 Foundational Questions Institute grant.
