Fluctuation-induced forces Roya Zandi, University of California-Riverside, DMR 0645668

1. Fluctuation-induced forcesRoya Zandi, University of California-Riverside, DMR 0645668 Fluctuation-induced forces between inclusions in a fluid membrane under tension [with H. Lin, U. Mohideen, & L. Pryadko Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 228104 (2011)] Biological membranes are formed by bilayers of amphiphilic lipid molecules with embedded macromolecules such as proteins. In general, the interactions between membrane inclusions depend on the separation between them and can be categorized as elastic and fluctuation-induced. The former is due to static elastic deformations induced in the membrane, while the latter is due to the modified entropy of the membrane fluctuations. We have developed an exact method for calculating the fluctuation-induced forces between elastic inclusions of arbitrary shapes embedded in a fluctuating bio-membrane under tension, characterized Two viral particles sitting on a fluctuating fluid membrane. The modification of fluctuations by the objects leads to an attractive long-range interaction between them. by the surface tension and bending and Gaussian rigidities. The method allows to calculate the force in all ranges of parameters, all separations and all regimes inaccessible with previous theories.

2. Girls excelling in Mathematical Sciences (GEMS)Roya Zandi, University of California-Riverside, DMR 0645668 Project GEMS was a 3 day mini camp for thirty middle school girls. During the first two days, the female students learned in a classroom lessons on symmetry and budgeting with references to parabolic functions through hands on string projects and even plotting on the coordinate plane, and a heavy emphasis on arithmetic.  The third day was an exciting field trip to (UCR).  The objective was to provide a stimulating environment to show that mathematics and physics are interesting and relevant in all aspects of life.  Students learned about successful women role models in science, and were anxious to learn more from the female faculty and students in the PI’s lab making presentations at the University trip.   Please insert an image or group of images here to illustrate your broader impacts activities. If you need more space, you may reduce the adjacent textbox. Please use lettering that is clearly visible (i.e. not too small). Please include a brief figure caption. The students built motors from magnets and batteries in the Physics department, and then listened to inspiring presentations given by the prominent mathematics and physics professors and female students from the PI’s group.