LONG
Professor Martin Grant of McGill’s Department of Physics has been at the forefront of one of the revolutions in modern science, namely dealing with the question of “Where do complex structures come from and how can their formation be understood?” His research includes the development and use of the most advanced theoretical methods and computer based models to simulate the complex properties of liquids and solids in non-equilibrium states, i.e. far from their normal operating conditions. Some of the complex systems he has studied include flame fronts, crystallizing eutectics, and self-lubricating polymer melts. Indeed, his investigations cover a broad range of topics in condensed matter physics also including studies of first order phase transitions, crystal growth, disordered systems, spin glasses, charge density waves, wave scattering in random media and, more recently, an analysis of atomic scale friction. Surprisingly enough, his research shows that many of the properties of these disparate systems can be understood using the common language of scale invariance. All his work is done in close contact with experimentalists, and McGill has become a world leader in this area through his efforts.

SHORT
Martin Grant has been at the forefront of a revolution that asks “Where do complex structures come from and how can their formation be understood?” His research shows that many of the properties of liquids and solids in non-equilibrium states can be understood using the common language of scale invariance.