Dr. David Mandrus will present his colloquium topic, “How Physicists Think about New Materials” in person.

Abstract: Although new materials are the engine that drives much of condensed matter physics, the conceptual process by which new materials are discovered is rarely discussed. In this talk I will try to remedy this situation, and will discuss strategies for finding new materials that challenge our physical understanding. I will also discuss the role of theory in this process, stressing that new materials can be regarded as a playground for testing new theoretical ideas. Several examples will be discussed.