Jonathan T. Schwalbe

Research Interests

Theoretical and computational fluid mechanics applied to complex free boundary problems. Analytical solutions describing the motion of deformable droplets and vesicles in various flow and electric fields. Solution techniques involving asymptotic and perturbation methods to describe small interface deformations from their equilibrium value. Problems concerning interfacial hydrodynamic stability.

Recent topics include interfacial rheology of droplets with interfacial viscous forces, and Marangoni effects from the presence of an insoluble surfant on the interface. Finite element simulations of deformable particles in confined geometry using a Cahn-Hilliard formulation.

Honors and Awards

National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at NIST, 2010.

NSF Applied Mathematics Training Program for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering Fellowship, 2008-2010.

Walter P. Murphy Graduate Fellowship, Northwestern University, 2006-2007.

Recent Presentations

J.T. Schwalbe, K. Erk, J. Martin P.M. Vlahovska, and S.D. Hudson, "Interfacial effects on droplet dynamics in Poiseuille flow", 2011 APS March meeting, Dallas, TX.

J.T. Schwalbe, P.M. Vlahovska, and M.J. Miksis, "Vesicle Electrohydrodynamics", 2010 APS-DFD meeting, Long Beach, Ca.

J.T. Schwalbe, P.M. Vlahovska, and M.J. Miksis, "Dynamics of lipid bilayer membranes", 2010 SIAM Conference on the Life Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA.

J.T. Schwalbe, P.M. Vlahovska, and M.J. Miksis, "Stability of a planar lipid bilayer membrane in a DC electric field", 2009 APS-DFD meeting, Minneapolis, MN.

Recent Publications

J.T. Schwalbe, F.R. Phelan Jr., P.M. Vlahovska, and S.D. Hudson, "Interfacial effects on droplet dynamics in Poiseuille flow", in preparation.

J.T. Schwalbe, P.M. Vlahovska, and M.J. Miksis, "Lipid membrane instability driven by capacitive charging", submitted.

J.T. Schwalbe, P.M. Vlahovska, and M.J. Miksis, "Vesicle Electrohydrodynamics", submitted.

J.T. Schwalbe, P.M. Vlahovska, and M.J. Miksis, "Monolayer slip effects on the dynamics of a lipid bilayer vesicle in a viscous flow", J. Fluid Mech. 647: 403-419, 2010.