Modeling the Distribution of Metals in the Universe

This project aims to develop a better understandingof the transport of heavy elements. Almost all elements heavier than hydrogen and helium are made in stars and then expelled into the interstellar medium. However, we understand very little about the subsequent processes by which these elementsare transported through and out of galaxies. Thisproject plans to use high-resolution simulations ofinterstellar gas to understand the flows responsiblefor element transport. It also plans to providequantitative calculations of the rate of elementdiffusion through the interstellar medium, the rate atwhich elements are expelled from galaxies in galacticwinds, and similar poorly-known quantities. Ultimately, this work may yield a much deeper understanding of how the present-day distribution of elements in the universe came to be.