Professor Debra Bernhardt
Professor

Debra Bernhardt

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 63939

Background

Professor Debra Bernhardt is internationally recognised for her contributions to the development of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and thermodynamics including far-from-equilibrium fluids and confined fluids. She is a Fellow of Australian Academy of Science and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow. Professor Bernhardt’s 30 years of research experience includes appointments at the University of Basel, Switzerland; the Australian National University; and Griffith University, where she was founding director of the Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre. Professor Bernhardt's research interests focus on the use of a range of theoretical and computational approaches to develop a fundamental understanding of the behaviour of matter, and application of these approaches to a wide range of problems including transport in nanopores, fluctuation phenomena, design of materials, gas separation, energy storage and conversion.

Availability

Professor Debra Bernhardt is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Newcastle
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle

Research impacts

Research:

Theoretical and computational molecular science: nonequilibrium systems, fluids and materials.

Professor Bernhardt has played a lead role in the development of the statistical mechanics of nonequilibrium fluids including the fluctuation theorems, that lead to many results including the fact that transport coefficients are positive. Predictions from the theories developed have been validated using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and experiment and the work has had international impact. For example, her work with the Evans and Sevick groups at the Australian National University resulted in the theoretical development of a fluctuation theorem that could be experimentally verified. This result was verified using computer simulations and experiment, providing the first experimental verification of any fluctuation theorem (Phys Rev Lett, 2002) which has been over 700 times (Scopus) and was listed by the American Institute of Physics as one of 19 notable physics developments in 2002.

Since that time fluctuation theorems have become well established area of research and is applied in a wide range of fields.

Search Professor Debra Bernhardt’s works on UQ eSpace

225 works between 1987 and 2024
All (225) Journal Article (203) Book Chapter (4) Conference Publication (12) Book (2) Other Outputs (4)

121 - 140 of 225 works

2012

Journal Article

Fine tuning the teaching methods used for second year university mathematics

Lim, L. L., Thiel, D. V. and Searles, Debra J. (2012). Fine tuning the teaching methods used for second year university mathematics. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 43 (1), 1-9. doi: 10.1080/0020739X.2011.582171

Fine tuning the teaching methods used for second year university mathematics

2012

Journal Article

Communication: beyond Boltzmann's H-theorem: demonstration of the relaxation theorem for a non-monotonic approach to equilibrium

Reid, James C., Evans, Denis J. and Searles, Debra J. (2012). Communication: beyond Boltzmann's H-theorem: demonstration of the relaxation theorem for a non-monotonic approach to equilibrium. Journal of Chemical Physics, 136 (2) 021101, 021101. doi: 10.1063/1.3675847

Communication: beyond Boltzmann's H-theorem: demonstration of the relaxation theorem for a non-monotonic approach to equilibrium

2011

Journal Article

On the entropy of relaxing deterministic systems

Evans, Denis J., Williams, Stephen R. and Searles, Debra J. (2011). On the entropy of relaxing deterministic systems. Journal of Chemical Physics, 135 (19) 194107, 194107. doi: 10.1063/1.3660203

On the entropy of relaxing deterministic systems

2011

Journal Article

Nonequilibrium umbrella sampling and the functional crooks fluctuation theorem

Williams, Stephen R., Evans, Denis J. and Searles, Debra J. (2011). Nonequilibrium umbrella sampling and the functional crooks fluctuation theorem. Journal of Statistical Physics, 145 (4), 831-840. doi: 10.1007/s10955-011-0281-0

Nonequilibrium umbrella sampling and the functional crooks fluctuation theorem

2011

Journal Article

Transient Violation of Le Chatelier's Principle for a Network of Water Molecules

Dasmeh, P., Ajloo, D. and Searles, D. J. (2011). Transient Violation of Le Chatelier's Principle for a Network of Water Molecules. Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society, 8 (2), 424-432. doi: 10.1007/BF03249076

Transient Violation of Le Chatelier's Principle for a Network of Water Molecules

2011

Journal Article

A proof of Clausius' theorem for time reversible deterministic microscopic dynamics

Evans, Denis J., Williams, Stephen R. and Searles, Debra J. (2011). A proof of Clausius' theorem for time reversible deterministic microscopic dynamics. Journal of Chemical Physics, 134 (20) 204113, 204113. doi: 10.1063/1.3592531

A proof of Clausius' theorem for time reversible deterministic microscopic dynamics

2011

Journal Article

Planar mixed flow and chaos: Lyapunov exponents and the conjugate-pairing rule

Bernardi, Stefano, Frascoli, Federico, Searles, Debra J. and Todd, B. D. (2011). Planar mixed flow and chaos: Lyapunov exponents and the conjugate-pairing rule. Journal of Chemical Physics, 134 (11) 114112, 114112. doi: 10.1063/1.3567095

Planar mixed flow and chaos: Lyapunov exponents and the conjugate-pairing rule

2011

Conference Publication

The fluctuation theorem and dissipation theorem for Poiseuille flow

Brookes, Sarah J., Reid, James C., Evans, Denis J. and Searles, Debra J. (2011). The fluctuation theorem and dissipation theorem for Poiseuille flow. STATPHYS-Kolkata VII: International Conference on Statistical Physics 2010, Kolkata, India, 26-30 November 2010. Bristol, United Kingdom: Institute of Physics Publishing. doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/297/1/012017

The fluctuation theorem and dissipation theorem for Poiseuille flow

2010

Journal Article

Different approaches for evaluating exponentially weighted nonequilibrium relations

Reid, James C., Cunning, Benjamin V. and Searles, Debra J. (2010). Different approaches for evaluating exponentially weighted nonequilibrium relations. Journal of Chemical Physics, 133 (15) 154108, 154108. doi: 10.1063/1.3486196

Different approaches for evaluating exponentially weighted nonequilibrium relations

2010

Journal Article

Musings on thermostats

Evans, Denis J., Searles, Debra J. and Williams, Stephen R. (2010). Musings on thermostats. Journal of Chemical Physics, 133 (10) 104106, 104106. doi: 10.1063/1.3486092

Musings on thermostats

2010

Journal Article

The covariant dissipation function for transient nonequilibrium states

Evans, Denis J., Searles, Debra J. and Williams, Stephen R. (2010). The covariant dissipation function for transient nonequilibrium states. Journal of Chemical Physics, 133 (5) 054507, 054507. doi: 10.1063/1.3463439

The covariant dissipation function for transient nonequilibrium states

2010

Journal Article

Thermostating highly confined fluids

Bernardi, Stefano, Todd, B. D. and Searles, Debra J. (2010). Thermostating highly confined fluids. Journal of Chemical Physics, 132 (24) 244706, 244706. doi: 10.1063/1.3450302

Thermostating highly confined fluids

2010

Journal Article

Lyapunov spectra and conjugate-pairing rule for confined atomic fluids

Bernardi, Stefano, Todd, B. D., Hansen, J. S., Searles, Debra J. and Frascoli, Federico (2010). Lyapunov spectra and conjugate-pairing rule for confined atomic fluids. Journal of Chemical Physics, 132 (24) 244508, 244508. doi: 10.1063/1.3446809

Lyapunov spectra and conjugate-pairing rule for confined atomic fluids

2010

Journal Article

On the probability of violations of Fourier's law for heat flow in small systems observed for short times

Evans, Denis J., Searles, Debra J. and Williams, Stephen R. (2010). On the probability of violations of Fourier's law for heat flow in small systems observed for short times. Journal of Chemical Physics, 132 (2) 024501, 024501. doi: 10.1063/1.3279124

On the probability of violations of Fourier's law for heat flow in small systems observed for short times

2010

Conference Publication

Fluctuation theorems and the relaxation to equilibrium

Evans, Denis J., Searles, Debra J. and Williams, Stephen R. (2010). Fluctuation theorems and the relaxation to equilibrium. *, *, *. AMER CHEMICAL SOC.

Fluctuation theorems and the relaxation to equilibrium

2010

Journal Article

Applying bi-directional Jarzynski methods to quasi-equilibrium states

Reid, James C., Williams, Stephen R. and Searles, Debra J. (2010). Applying bi-directional Jarzynski methods to quasi-equilibrium states. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 63 (3), 357-362. doi: 10.1071/CH09458

Applying bi-directional Jarzynski methods to quasi-equilibrium states

2010

Book Chapter

Thermodynamics of small systems

Evans, Denis J., Williams, Stephen R. and Searles, Debra J. (2010). Thermodynamics of small systems. Nonlinear dynamics of nanosystems. (pp. 75-109) Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH. doi: 10.1002/9783527629374.ch2

Thermodynamics of small systems

2009

Journal Article

On violations of Le Chatelier's principle for a temperature change in small systems observed for short times

Dasmeh, Pouria, Searles, Debra J., Ajloo, Davood, Evans, Denis J. and Williams, Stephen R. (2009). On violations of Le Chatelier's principle for a temperature change in small systems observed for short times. Journal of Chemical Physics, 131 (21) 214503, 214503.1-214503.7. doi: 10.1063/1.3261849

On violations of Le Chatelier's principle for a temperature change in small systems observed for short times

2009

Journal Article

Dissipation and the relaxation to equilibrium

Evans, Denis J., Searles, Debra J. and Williams, Stephen R. (2009). Dissipation and the relaxation to equilibrium. Journal of Statistical Mechanics-Theory and Experiment, 2009 (7) P07029, P07029.1-P07029.11. doi: 10.1088/1742-5468/2009/07/P07029

Dissipation and the relaxation to equilibrium

2009

Journal Article

The effect of confinement and wall structure on the kinetics of isomerisation of n-butane

Brookes, Sarah J., Searles, Debra J. and Travis, Karl P. (2009). The effect of confinement and wall structure on the kinetics of isomerisation of n-butane. Molecular Simulation, 35 (1-2), 172-185. doi: 10.1080/08927020802350935

The effect of confinement and wall structure on the kinetics of isomerisation of n-butane

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality (ARC ITRP grant administered by QUT)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2030
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Integrated solar to chemical production and membrane concentration system
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    Towards a molecular level understanding of flow-induced physical and chemical reactions
    Pawsey Centre for Extreme Scale Readiness
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Strategic Design of Nanoarchitectured Porous Carbon and Investigation of Charging/Discharging Mechanisms in Supercapacitors for Future Energy Storage Systems
    Foundation for Australia-Japan Studies
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    New frontiers for nonequilibrium systems
    ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Sustaining and enhancing merit-based research access to the National Computational Infrastructure (ARC LIEF project administered by ANU)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Promoting new reaction pathways with nonequilibrium flow
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Design of Polymers for 3D Printing via Non-equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulation
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Maintaining and enhancing merit-based access to the NCI National Facility (ARC LIEF project administered by The Australian National University)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    FlashLite: A High Performance Machine for Data Intensive Science
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2014
    A parallel computer facility for modelling and simulation
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Properties of nonequilibrium steady states
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    Understanding dissipation, thermal conduction and diffusion in superionic conductors using ab initio nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Composite Reinforcement using Boron Nitride Nanotubes
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Computational studies of melting and the solvation properties of ionic liquids
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Dissipation and Relaxation in Statistical Mechanics
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Debra Bernhardt is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Identification of New Clean Energy Storage Systems Using Molecular Simulations

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Insight into Nonequilibrium Behaviour from Molecular Simulations

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Insight into Nonequilibrium Behaviour from Molecular Simulations

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Rational Design of Materials for Energy Applications using Computational Methods

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Electrolytes and Interfaces in Rechargeable Batteries

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cheng Zhang, Dr Stephen Sanderson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Identification of New Clean Energy Storage Systems Using Molecular Simulations

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    New technology for computational prediction of chemical reaction outcomes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske

  • Doctor Philosophy

    New technology for computational prediction of chemical reaction outcomes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Prediction of new electrolytes for improved electrical energy storage.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tim Duignan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Effectively predicting the properties of aqueous electrolyte solutions

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tim Duignan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    New technology for computational prediction of chemical reaction outcomes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigation of pH-dependent bacterial transporters

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Alan Mark

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Chemical Reactions in Confined Systems

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The effect of membrane composition on protein-ligand interactions in drug design and delivery

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Megan O'Mara

  • Doctor Philosophy

    New technology for computational prediction of chemical reaction outcomes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Krenske

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Next-generation polymer-based solid electrolytes for advanced batteries

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cheng Zhang

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Debra Bernhardt directly for media enquiries about:

  • Computational science
  • Molecular science
  • Theoretical science
  • Thermodynamics

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