Solid Materials

Solid materials research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science focuses on the following areas:

  • Computational materials
  • Electronic materials
  • Solid state engineering
  • Solid state physics
  • Nanoscience and technology
  • Optical properties of nanomaterials
  • Advanced optics
  • Thermodynamics of materials

Opportunities for Graduate Study

The department offers an M.S./Ph.D. with a study track in materials science and a core in solid materials and photonics. The course options emphasize nanoscience, nanomaterials and technology; photonics, solid state physics and electronic materials.

The department also offers a Master of Engineering (MEng) with an emphasis in materials science and engineering. This 30-credit degree program includes course work towards departmental requirements, an area of specialization, business and management fundamentals, and an internship or applied research experience. Students have the flexibility to focus on topics of solid, soft, bio and polymeric materials and characterization relevant to career preparation for the industrial sector.

Solid Materials Faculty

Franklin H. Cocks
Professor
A wide variety of areas in materials science, including crystal growth, mechanical properties of kidney stones, lunar science, diffraction optics, materials for radiation detection, and radiation shielding.
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Stefano Curtarolo
Professor and Director, Center for Materials Genomics
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Teh Y. Tan
Professor
Impurity diffusion mechanisms and point defects in silicon and III-V compounds; line defects; precipitation and gettering; kinetic processes of defect evolution; x-ray scattering and electron microscopy; crystal growth in nano-scale
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Benjamin B. Yellen
Assistant Professor
Theoretical and Experimental studies on concentration gradients arising in ionic fluids and magnetic liquids.
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Xuanhe Zhao
Assistant Professor
Dr Zhao's research is to understand the fundamental mechanics and physics of materials and phenomena emerging on the interface between engineering and biological systems and to design new materials and structures capable of extraordinary functions. He is currently particularly interested in soft...
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