Dr. David Nelson

Biography

David R. Nelson is the Arthur K. Solomon Professor of Biophysics at Harvard University. His research primarily focuses on collective effects in the physics of condensed matter and statistical mechanics, particularly the interplay of fluctuations and geometry. He has collaborated with colleagues at Harvard, including Bertrand Halperin, on significant theoretical contributions such as dislocation-mediated melting and the prediction of a fourth 'hexatic' phase of matter, which lies between conventional solid and liquid states, confirmed by experiments on thin films and bulk liquid crystals. Nelson's extensive research includes theoretical investigations into the structure of metallic glasses and the study of 'tethered surfaces', leading to the emergence of two-dimensional generalizations of linear polymer chains and the exploration of fishnet-like structures that exhibit notable low-temperature phases. Additionally, his work on flux line entanglement in high-temperature superconductors addresses the dynamics of flux lines under high magnetic fields, with implications for new material applications. Current research interests span vortex physics, polymers in statistical mechanics, and topological defects in biophysics.

Research Interests