Drag in granular media: In order to better understand the limb-ground interaction forces that locomoting animals experience, and to assess the different failure modes of granular media in various states (loosely and closely packed for instance) we study the drag force and flow of granular material in response to the drag of flat plates through the media.

Journal papers:

Gravish, Umbanhowar, and Goldman. PRL 2010 (PDF) (journal cover) (arXiv)

Videos:

An overview of the supplementary material from the recent PRL paper can be found here.

Video corresponding to the cover image from PRL below

Press:

Featured in the physics update section of Physics Today October 2010 here.