He is known to have an eclectic approach to research topics that broadly revolves around energy-focusing phenomena in nonlinear, continuous systems, with particular interest in turbulence, sonoluminescence,[1] sonofusion and pyrofusion.
[2][3] Putterman studied physics at Cooper Union in New York for two years before transferring to the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, graduating in 1966.
In 1970, he received his doctorate under George Uhlenbeck at the Rockefeller University in New York.
His PhD work dealt with quantum fluids and he contributed to the theory of superfluidity of helium.
His group demonstrated[6][7][8] X-ray generation from the triboelectric effect by peeling a strip of Scotch tape in 2008.