Elon University Home

Benjamin Evans
Assistant Professor - Physics
Physics
McMichael Science Building 202A
2625 Campus Box
Elon, NC 27244
bevans7@elon.edu
Phone: (336) 278-6252

Education

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC

Ph.D., Physics, August 2008

Dissertation:  “Design, Fabrication, and Actuation of Biomimetic Cilia”

 

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC

M.S., Physics, December 2005

 

Rhodes College, Memphis, TN

B.S., Physics, May 2003

Employment History

Elon University, Elon, NC                                                                           2008 - Present

Assistant Professor of Physics, 2008 – Present

 

North Carolina Governor's School, Raleigh, NC                                  2004 - 2005

Natural Science Lead Teacher, 2005

Natural Science Faculty, 2004

 

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC                                   2003 - 2005

Teaching Assistant, Fall 2003 - Spring 2005

Physics Tutorial Center, 2003 – 2005

     Manager, 2004 - 2005

 

Private Tutor for Introductory Physics, Chapel Hill, NC                    2004 - 2008

300 + hours experience

 

Rhodes College, Memphis, TN                                                                  2001 - 2003

Introductory Physics Tutor, Fall 2002 - Spring 2003

Introductory Physics Lab Teaching Assistant, Fall 2001 - Spring 2002

Courses Taught

    Modern Physics

    Physics of Sound

    Introductory Physics I

    Introductory Physics II

    Conceptual Physics: How Things Work

    Introductory Physics I with Calculus

    Introductory Physics II with Calculus

    Research Methods

    Independent Research in Physics

    “Independent Research in Physics,” Spring 2009 – Fall 2010

Research

Biomimetic Cilia, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 2004 - 2007

Designed novel ferrofluid/poly(dimethyl siloxane) composite material and ferrofluid-hydrogel materials.  Developed fabrication processes for producing arrays of actuable microscale biomimetic cilia using these materials.  Demonstrated fluid flow driven by actuated arrays.  This work is featured in the "Zoom In" exhibit at the Morehead planetarium at UNC-CH.

 

Motor/Generator Automation, Auburn University Fusion Lab, Auburn, AL, Summer 2002

Acquired proficiency in new programming languages. Interfaced ten motor/generator units with a logic controller to power an experiment in nuclear fusion. Achieved complete automation of motor/generator run cycle and enabled remote user intervention and control through local area network.

 

Ultrasonic Scanning System, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, 2002

 Responsible for designing protocol for operation of a three-dimensional ultrasonic scanning system to be used for backscatter, broadband ultrasonic attenuation, and speed of sound measurements.

 

Dual Energy Contrast Enhanced X-ray, University of Tennessee, Biomedical Engin., Memphis, TN, Summer 2001

 Operated and maintained a small linear accelerator used for x-ray production. Designed optimal x-ray spectra for new imaging technique and implemented a procedure for investigating the efficiency of the technique in medical applications. Culminated in a live animal study.

 

Medical-Grade Polyethylene Investigation, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, Summer 2000

 Used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to examine structural characteristics of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Current Projects

I am primarily interested in the application of nanoscale techniques to explore questions of biological interest.  My current work is in the area of biomimetics, where I am making life-sized artificial cilia in order to study fluid-structure interactions similar to those within biological systems.  This work has applications in research on diseases of ciliary dysfunction such as cystic fibrosis, as well as applications in fluid physics, materials science, and bioengineering.  Specific interests include:

 

 •       Nanotechnology / Biotechnology

 •       Magnetics

 •       Polymers / Colloids / Composite materials

 •       Fluid Physics

Grants Awarded

FR&D Summer Fellowship, Elon University, 2013

FR&D Summer Fellowship, Elon University, 2012

FR&D Research Funding, $1530, Elon University, 2012 – 2013

FR&D Research Funding, $470, Elon University, Summer 2012

FR&D Research Funding, $1000, Elon University, Summer 2011

FR&D Research Funding, $1000, Elon University, 2010 - 2011

Hultquist Award, Elon University, Summer 2009

Sustainability Scholar, Elon University, 2008 - 2009

Publications

A. Deatsch*, B.A. Evans, “Hyperthermia therapeutics using magnetic nanoparticles,” Nanotechnology book series, ed. Ali Eftekhari.  Submitted Oct. 31, 2012; pending review.  *Elon Student

R. Superfine, R.C. Spero, A.R. Shields, B.A. Evans, B.L. Fiser, “Methods and systems for using actuated surface-attached posts for assessing biofluid rheology,” U.S. Patent Application No. 61/234,177, Publication No. 20120156791 (published June 21, 2012).

B.A. Evans, B.L. Fiser, W.J. Prins*, D.J. Rapp*, A.R. Shields, D.R. Glass*, R. Superfine, “A Highly Tunable Silicone-Based Magnetic Elastomer with Nanoscale Homogeneity,” Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 324 (4), February 2012.  *Elon Students

B.A. Evans, R. Superfine, “Design Considerations for Magnetically Actuated Biomimetic Cilia,” in Biomimetic Based Applications, Intech: Vienna, 2011.

L.O. Mair, B.A. Evans, A.R. Hall, J. Carpenter, A.R. Shields, K. Ford, M. Millard, R. Superfine, “Highly controllable near-surface swimming of magnetic Janus nanorods: application to payload capture and manipulation,” Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 44 (12), March, 2011.

A.R. Shields, B.L. Fiser, B.A. Evans, M.R. Falvo, S. Washburn, R. Superfine, “Biomimetic cilia arrays generate simultaneous pumping and mixing regimes,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107 (36), 15670-15675, September 2010.

E.M. Darling, P.E. Pritchett, B.A. Evans, R. Superfine, S. Zauscher, F. Guilak, “Mechanical Properties and Gene Expression of Chondrocytes on Micropatterned Substrates Following Dedifferentiation in Monolayer,” Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, 2 (3), 395 – 404, September 2009.

B.A. Evans, A.R. Shields, R. Lloyd Carroll, M.R. Falvo, S. Washburn, R. Superfine, "Magnetically Actuated Nanorod Arrays as Biomimetic Cilia," Nano Letters, 7 (5), 1428-1434, May 2007.

Presentations

3rd International Conference on Multifunctional, Hybrid and Nanomaterials, Sorrento, Italy, March 3-7 2013

“Magnetite/Silicone Nanocomposite Microspheres for Drug Delivery Applications,” (upcoming; abstract accepted)

 

57th Annual Mtg. of the Biophysical Society, Philadelphia, PA, February 2-6, 2013

“Synthesis of Functionalized Magnetic Microspheres with High Magnetic Concentration for Microscale Force Application”  (upcoming; abstract accepted)

 

56th Annual Mtg. of the Biophysical Society, San Diego, CA, February 25-29, 2012

“High Permeability Silicone-based Magnetic Microspheres for Microscale Force Spectroscopy”

 

Rhodes College Colloquium, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, October 4, 2011

“What’s a Physicist Like You Doing in a Place Like This?”

    *Invited Speaker

 

JSNN Seminar Series, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, Greensboro, NC, September 16, 2011

“Microscale engineering with a novel silicone-based magnetic elastomer of nanoscale homogeneity”

    *Invited Speaker

 

March Meeting of the American Physical Society, Dallas, TX, March 21 – 25, 2011

“Highly-Controllable Near-Surface Swimming of Magnetic Nanorods”

 

Bioengineering Applications to Address Global Health, Duke University, Durham, NC, November 6-7, 2008

“A Biomimetic Mixing and Pumping Mechanism for Microfluidic Devices”

 

Doctoral Defense, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, May 9, 2008

"Design, Fabrication, and Actuation of Biomimetic Cilia"

 

Industrial Applications and Engineering Science Laboratory, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, March 11, 2008

"Making Waves with Biomimetics: Artificial Cilia and their Applications"

    *Invited Speaker

52nd Annual Mtg. of the Biophysical Society, Long Beach, CA, February 4, 2008

"Directed Fluid Transport Driven by Magnetically Actuable Biomimetic Cilia Arrays"

 

Governor's School East, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC, July 19, 2007

"Superfinity: the Realities and Possibilities of Nanoscience"

    *Invited Speaker

 

The Virtual Lung Project, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, May 1, 2007

"Biomimetic Cilia"

 

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, November 27, 2006

Thesis Proposal: "High-Aspect-Ratio Soft Polymeric Paramagnetic Nanorod Arrays"

 

Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society 2006, Williamsburg, VA, November 9, 2006

"Actuation of High-Aspect-Ratio Magnetoelastic Nanorod Arrays"

 

Governor's School East, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC, July 12, 2006

"Nanotechnology: If Smaller is Better, it's Superfine"

    *Invited Speaker

 

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, November 11, 2005

Masters Defense: "Fabrication and Actuation of Magnetoelastic Microrod Arrays"

 

East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, NC, September 19, 2005

"Here There Be Dragons: the Future of Alternative Energy"

    *Invited Speaker

 

Governor's School East, Math Department, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC, June 27, 2005

"What's a Physicist Like You Doing in a Place Like This?: Science Between the

Disciplines"

    *Invited Speaker

 

Senior Seminar Series, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, March 6, 2003

"Harnessing the Power of the Stars:  Nuclear Fusion on Earth"

 

SPS Zone 10 Meeting, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, February 21-22, 2003

"Physicists Abroad:  The ICPS in Budapest"

 

AAPT National Meeting, Austin, TX, January 11-15, 2003

"The 17th International Conference of Physics Students in Budapest, Hungary"

    *Invited Speaker

 

Rhodes College Summer Research Symposium, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, Sept.19, 2002

"Automating a Ten Megawatt Motor/Generator Power Supply for a Project in Nuclear

Fusion"

International Conference of Physics Students, Budapest, Hungary, August 21-28, 2002

"Exploiting the K-edge of Gadolinium for Dual Energy Contrast Enhanced X-ray Imaging"

    *Invited Speaker, SPS National Prizewinner

 

Auburn University Physics Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, August 1, 2002

"Automating a Ten Megawatt Motor/Generator Power Supply for a Project in Nuclear

Fusion"

 

Auburn University Fusion Lab, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, July 28, 2002

"Automating the Motor/Generators:  A Summer in the Shade"

Rhodes College Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, April 21, 2002

"Dual Energy X-ray Imaging for Enhanced Contrast"

 

Tennessee Academy of Science, Western Tenn. Collegiate Meeting, LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis, TN, March 23, 2002

"Dual Energy Contrast Enhanced X-ray Imaging Using Gadolinium as an Agent"

    *First Place Winner

 

AOK-AAPT Regional Meeting, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AK, October 19, 2001

"An Exploration of Gadolinium as an Agent for Contrast in Dual Energy Contrast

Enhanced X-ray Imaging"

 

Rhodes Summer Research Symposium, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, Sept. 10, 2001

"Exploration of Gadolinium as an Agent for Contrast in Dual Energy X-ray Imaging"

 

UTBME Imaging Group, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Biomedical Engineering, August 9, 2001

"Exploration of Gadolinium as an Agent for Contrast in Dual Energy X-ray Imaging"

 

Rhodes College Undergraduate Research Symposium, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, April 20, 2001

"Characterization of Medical Grade Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene by

Transmission Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy"

    *Second Place Winner

 

Tennessee Academy of Science, Western Tenn. Collegiate Meeting, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, March 24, 2001

"Characterization of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene for Joint Prostheses"

Professional Activities

Reviewer for Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2012 – present

Reviewer for NCUR, 2012 - present

Board of Advisors for NCSU Biomedical Engineering Dept., 2011 - present

Lumen Prize Committee, Elon University, 2010 – present

North Carolina Governor's School Admissions Committee, 2006 - present

Graduate Teaching Assistant Liaison to the Center for Teaching and Learning, 2005-2006

Expert Consultant, Yale University PACE Center, 2005

Secretary, Society of Physics Students, Rhodes College 2001- 2003

Skills

Microscopy: SEM, TEM, AFM, brightfield, darkfield, confocal, fluorescence

Wet Lab: Polymer synthesis, ferrofluids, colloids

Computational: COMSOL (finite element analysis), MatLab, Mathematica, LabView

Other: Photolithography (SU-8, S1813), Microfluidics

Awards

A.L. Hook Emerging Scholar in Science and Mathematics, Elon University, 2012 – 2015

Sustainability Scholar, Elon University, 2008 - 2009

Nominated for the Boka W. Hadzija Award for Distinguished Service, UNC - CH, 2006

Teaching Assistant of the Year, 2005, UNC-CH Dept. of Physics and Astronomy

AAPT Outstanding Teaching Assistant, 2005, American Assoc. of Physics Teachers

Finalist for Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, UNC-CH, 2005

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Honorable Mention, 2005

Graduate School Fellowship, UNC-CH, awarded August 2003

Omicron Delta Kappa, Ind. 2003

Outstanding Physics Student Departmental Award, Rhodes College, 2002

SPS National Undergraduate Research Award, 2002

 •       invited talk at the International Conference of Physics Students, Budapest, Hungary

 •       invited talk at AAPT winter meeting, Austin, TX

 •       $1000 honorarium

Sigma Pi Sigma, Ind. 2001

Morse Scholarship, Rhodes College; full tuition for four years

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholar

USAA Scholarship

Kentucky Medical Services Foundation Scholarship