Sol Gruner

John L. Wetherill Emeritus Professor of Physics

Overview

Biological physics; polymer and other soft condensed matter physics; x-ray and synchrotron radiation science; scientific instrumentation and technique development; development of novel x-ray detectors

Research Focus

My research is aimed at understanding the structure and properties of proteins, lyotropic liquid crystals, block co-polymers and mesoporous composites.  Examples include the effects of pressure on protein assemblies, the synthesis and properties of polymer-based nanocomposites, the interaction between membrane proteins and lipid bilayers, and techniques to determine protein structure from microcrystals. The work is diverse and is characterized by collaborations with biologically- and chemically-oriented scientists, the development of new instrumentation and techniques, especially as involves x-rays and synchrotron radiation. I also believe that physicists are tool makers and, in consequence,  everyone in the group is involved in instrumentation and technique development as applied to the materials listed, above. Oversight of the group is shared with Prof. Julia Thom-Levy.

Research Associates and technical staff associated with the group

Nick Brown, Marty Novak, Mark Tate

Graduate Students

Co-advised with Prof. Uli Wiesner or Prof. Julia Thom-Levy: Lena Franklin, Divya Gadkari, Sixuan Li, William Moore, Fei Yu

 

Publications

Publications may be found at http://bigbro.biophys.cornell.edu/publications/.

In the news

PHYS Courses - Fall 2024

PHYS Courses - Spring 2025

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