Nanomaterials

Our aim is to synthesize and fabricate nanomaterials and nanostructures such as: metallic and semiconductor nanowires/nanorings, carbon nanotubes and graphene, thin metal/ceramic films on compliant polymer substrates, bio-mimetic hierarchical surface patterns, and multifunctional nanocomposites.

Nanomechanics

Our aim is to characterize and understand important microstructural, mechanical (including deformation, fracture, fatigue, and friction), electro-mechanical, chemo-mechanical, and thermo-mechanical properties of the nanomaterials and nanostructures as well as the inter-correlations among these attributes. Developing state-of-the-art techniques and methods for advanced nanomechanical characterization is also an important focus for us in this area.

Nanodevices

Our aim is to develop and integrate these nanomaterials and nanostructures into useful devices and systems for a variety of practical applications such as: dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC), nano-electro-mechanical sensors based on suspended nanowires and nanotubes, multi-scale roughness coatings for anti-biofouling applications, nano-porous carriers for drug delivery, and protein based nanocomposites for tissue engineering scaffolds and bio-sensors.

Funding Support