Undergraduate Research in Experimental Granular Physics

I will present an ongoing undergraduate experimental research project in granular physics. I am an active part in an undergraduate research team that is investigating the self-organization of granular media. Using a modified subwoofer, I have built an apparatus to fluidize grains so that granular phenomena can be examined. When shaken vertically and sinusoidally, grains self-organize into patterns such as squares, stripes, and hexagons. Future investigations of other granular phenomena will also be discussed. Finally, this project illustrates the importance of undergraduate research and of student initiative in establishing research opportunities.