Rollins is interested in applying general physics to everyday things.
For example: How is it that airplanes fly, smoke rings move, and golf
balls slice, and are the reasons related? Rollins claims they are, but
he is less sure about the golf ball. His research is in the field of
nonlinear dynamics and ``chaotic'' systems in particular. Yes, the
term ``chaotic'' is now precisely defined in physics (and mathematics)
to describe motion that is continually unstable yet bounded. ``Almost
everything in the real world turns out to be chaotic. Thus, the
theory of chaotic systems is arguably the most well developed `theory
of everything' we have.'' If you think you disagree with (or do not
understand) anything he has said here so far, look him up and ask him
about it. Better yet, if you have a curious everyday-thing that you
cannot explain, ask him about that.
Rollins was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) in 1999 (nominated by the APS) ``For his excellent reseach in chaos, superconductivity and his outstanding contributions to educational and research software, and dedication and service to the APS through the Ohio Section''.
Other interests or hobbies: family, politics (where laws are made not just discovered), (keeping up with) technology, golf, and traveling.
