Research interests

I am trained as a computational physicist, with a focus on understanding mesoscale phenomena in material and biological systems that are usually out of equilibrium. My approach involves the development and application of quantitative phase-field models, as well as other numerical and analytical techniques. My research interests include:

• Computational modeling of phase transformations and interfacial dynamics.
• Microstructural pattern formation during solidification processes (e.g., rapid solidification, freeze casting).
• Microstructure evolution in energy production and storage systems (e.g., solid oxide electrolyzers, Lithium-ion batteries).
• Phase-field modeling of cell morphodynamics in biological systems.
• Massively parallel computing using GPUs.

Ph.D., Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, 2021

B.S., Applied Physics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 2015

Selected publications

 

K. Ji, E. Dorari, A.J. Clarke, A. Karma, “Microstructural pattern formation during far-from-equilibrium alloy solidification”, Physical Review Letters, 2023, 130(2), 026203.

K. Yin^*, K. Ji^*, L.S. Littles, R. Trivedi, A. Karma, U.G. Wegst, “Hierarchical structure formation by crystal growth-front instabilities during ice templating”, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2023, 120.23: e2210242120.

F.L. Mota, K. Ji, L.S. Littles, R. Trivedi, A. Karma, N. Bergeon, “Influence of macroscopic interface curvature on dendritic patterns during directional solidification of bulk samples: Experimental and phase-field studies”, Acta Materialia, 2023, Volume 250, pp. 118849.

Y. Song, F.L. Mota, D. Tourret, K. Ji, B. Billia, R. Trivedi, N. Bergeon, A. Karma, “Cell invasion during competitive growth of polycrystalline solidification patterns”, Nature Communications, 2023, 14(1), 2244.

K. Ji, A.M. Tabrizi, A. Karma, “Isotropic finite-difference approximations for phase-field simulations of polycrystalline alloy solidification”, Journal of Computational Physics, 2022, Volume 457, pp. 111069.

E. Dorari, K. Ji, G. Guillemot, C.A. Gandin, A. Karma, “Growth competition between columnar dendritic grains – The role of microstructural length scales”, Acta Materialia, 2021, Volume 223, pp. 117395.

F.L. Mota, J. Pereda, K. Ji, Y. Song, R. Trivedi, A. Karma, N. Bergeon, “Effect of sub-boundaries on primary spacing dynamics during 3D directional solidification conducted on DECLIC-DSI”, Acta Materialia, 2021, Volume 204, pp. 116500.

*Equal contribution

The complete publication list can be found here.

• ASGSR Student Travel Award, American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, 2021
• MRS Best Poster Nominee, Materials Research Society, 2019
• PhD Network Travel Funding, Northeastern University, 2019
• Comprehensive Merit Scholarship, Sichuan University, 2014
• Outstanding Undergraduate Student, China Scholarship Council, 2013-2014