Abstract: We have no direct evidence that general relativity is wrong; every precision test is a resounding confirmation of this elegant and powerful mathematical model. Trouble is: many fear that greatest cosmological problems of our time (might) require us to abandon general relativity. I will talk about how there may still be places in general relativity that have, until now, gone unexplored. Numerical relativity is a powerful tool that can model the complex non-linear issues of general relativity on cosmological scales. I will discuss how this tool can help us understand the role nonlinear gravity might play in the Universe, what it can tell us about how cosmic inflation ended and how primordial black holes might be formed.

Speaker bio: Tom Giblin is an expert in theoretical and numerical high energy physics and cosmology, Giblin employs high-performance computing to study the physics of the early universe. Giblin prioritizes undergraduate involvement in his work and has received numerous public and private grants to fund his groups work on campus. Giblin also has a collaborative relationship with Professor of Studio Art Claudia Esslinger, and works to incorporate physics ideas as well as technology into new media art.

Giblin teaches courses across the physics curriculum and courses in scientific computing. Giblin is also an active member of the Astroparticle group at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

https://www.kenyon.edu/directory/john-giblin/