Paul Umbanhowar

Paul Umbanhowar is a Research Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at a university, specializing in granular materials, robotic manipulation, and granular segregation dynamics. His work bridges physics, mechanical engineering, and robotics to study particle transport and manipulation systems.

Education

• Ph.D. in Physics, The University of Texas at Austin (1996)
• M.S. in Physics, Boston University (1991)
• B.A. in Physics, Carleton College (1987)

Research Interests

His research focuses on granular materials, particularly segregation mechanisms in flows, and robotic manipulation of particles. Key areas include modeling granular segregation, analyzing shear flows, and designing devices for precise particle control. He applies continuum mechanics and numerical methods like discrete element modeling to solve industrial and robotic challenges.

Scientific Contributions

Recent publications highlight his work on chaotic flow particle capture, segregation forces in granular mixtures, and lift/drag dynamics in shear flows. His studies address theoretical and applied aspects, from fundamental physics to industrial processing.