Dr. Christov’s work has solved outstanding problems and provided new understanding of fundamental mechanics processes, ranging from flow and mixing of complex fluids, to microscale fluid–structure interactions, to interfacial instabilities, and even nonlinear mechanical waves. He publishes and disseminates his work widely:
67 journal papers (31 while at Purdue),
5 book chapters (3 while at Purdue), and >60 invited conference/seminar
talks (>30 while at Purdue). Dr. Christov’s works have had a significant impact on the scientific community, as demonstrated by their rate of citation (≥1320 citations, ≥870 since 2016, with an
h-index of 22 according to
Google Scholar). Dr. Christov’s detailed mathematical analyses of complex engineering flow problems has yielded new predictive theories and rationalized poorly understood experiments across several areas of science and engineering. For example, his theory of the diffusion of granular materials (funded by the
National Science Foundation) resolved a
paradox in soft condensed matter physics. His
detailed models of microscale flow-induced deformation of soft matter (also funded by the
National Science Foundation) provided new
predictive models for use in microfluidic device fabrication/design; it also led to a new micromechanical measurement
technique for the elastic properties of thin films. His group has also predicted the existence of a
new type of nonlinear periodic wave on the surface of ferrofluid droplets (also funded by the
National Science Foundation), making it possible to create microscopic spinning gears with controllable speed (non-invasively via an external magnetic field). The impact of Dr. Christov’s work is also evidenced by the success of his
mentees and group
alumni.
