Nevin Smith

I am a master’s student in physics at Illinois State University working under Matt Caplan. My research uses first-principles molecular dynamics simulations to model electromagnetic interactions in many-particle systems, with the goal of understanding the rheology of neutron star crusts. In particular, I study the breaking dynamics of magnetized faults and investigate the viscoelastic properties of the polycrystalline structures that form. 

My research interests include plastic flow in ionic lattices, grain boundary formation, and the associated diffusive transport processes in neutron star crusts. I am also interested in the distillation of neutron-rich nuclei in white dwarf interiors.