Research Groups

The Benedek Group uses a combination of symmetry principles, crystal chemistry and first-principles computational techniques to explore, understand and formulate design rules for functional materials with novel properties.

The Computational Assembly, Phase Exploration, and Crystal Structure Analysis Laboratory (CAPE CryStAL) research group studies the self-assembly and stability of complex crystal structures via computer simulations.

The Cha group explores nanowires of topological materials and two-dimensional materials for the next generation electronics and quantum computing, using nanomolding as precision synthesis and in situ cryogenic scanning electron microscopy.

The Donnelly research group advances understanding of bone fragility in humans through multiscale experimental characterization.

The Estroff group is interested in bio-inspired materials synthesis. Biological organisms synthesize composites of inorganic minerals within organic matrices as part of their skeletal systems.

We study the processing-structure-property relationships in structural materials. We also develop manufacturing science for a variety of advanced/additive processes.

The Hwang group is focused on sub-terahertz semiconductor materials and devices for 6G wireless communications, internet of space, and next-generation automobile radars.

The Jena-Xing Lab works to develop electronic grade semiconductors and their heterostructures with other functional materials including semiconductors, insulators, superconductors, ferroelectrics, magnetics, multiferroics, and metals etc..  Research strives to understand the fundamental limits of these materials and their applications. The essential scientific tools used include epitaxy, basic material characterizations, transport theory and experiments, device theory and experiments.

Biological systems have faced strong selective pressure over billions of years to develop sustainable materials and processes. Our lab uses materials science to understand biological phenomena, and uncovers new material design principles that have emerged through evolution.

The Liddell group research efforts focus on the development of colloid-based materials [using synthetic chemistry, surface modification, self-assembly and field-directed assembly] and on understanding the relationship between their structure and properties to provide engineering solutions for the micron and submicron length scales. We integrate fundamental science in the areas of inorganic and organic chemistry, interface science, materials science (principles for electronic, optical, magnetic, mechanical behavior of materials), condensed matter physics, and thermodynamics to design and fabricate materials for applications requiring low cost manufacture with performance tied to control of micro- and nanostructures.

The Ober Group is dedicated to the development and optimization of polymeric materials, by exploring the impact of their macromolecular architecture, sequence, and physical properties.

The Robinson group’s research mission is to develop a fundamental understanding of how to program and process nanoscale building blocks into functional structures, and to elucidate the structure-property relationships of the resulting nanostructured materials. We apply novel nanosynthetic design concepts to tailor the properties of nanomaterials by controlling their size, shape, composition, and surfaces. We assemble these building blocks into functional architectures, targeting nanomaterials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage, printable electronics, and electrocatalysis.

The Schlom Research Group is investigating and perfecting the properties of oxide materials for electronic uses. To do this, we grow oxide thin films on single crystal substrates of closely related substances. The single crystal substrate provides a structural template for the thin films that we grow. The films follow this atomic template and are thus said to be epitaxial (inheriting their crystalline arrangement from the underlying substrate). Our focus on oxides is due to the tremendous promise that these materials hold for electrical applications.

Singer Group specializes in developing and applying cutting-edge in-situ, operando, and ultrafast X-ray characterization techniques to investigate dynamic nanoscale phenomena.

The Suntivich Group works to create knowledge enabling clean energy, sustainability, and circularity. Our team believes in approaching problems from basic science principles and model experiments.

Thompson Research Group focuses on the use of transient thermal processing on nano to micro-second time frames to characterize and modify material properties, particularly of semiconductor materials and applications. 

Our research is focused on understanding the coupling between chemistry and mechanics at material interfaces. The overarching motivation for this study of chemomechanics is the biological cell. There is increasing experimental evidence that changes in the local mechanical environment and chemical environment of cells correlate with changes in cell shape and function. Although the individual proteins at this interface are now well studied, the mechanisms by which mechanical and chemical signals are exchanged across this interface to impact cell functions are not fully understood. We focus on cell interfaces and environments relevant to wound healing and inflammation, cancer, and stem/precursor cell development.

The Wiesner group studies soft matter self-assembly directed nanostructured organic-inorganic hybrid materials formation with applications ranging from nanomedicine across water and energy to quantum materials. 

The Zhong group designs and synthesizes new soft materials and nanomaterials to advance flexible electronics, energy devices, separation processes, and beyond.