Research Groups

Nanomaterials & Imaging Lab (Prof. Schniepp)
Graphene-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites, molecular self-assembly, physical interactions of molecules and biomacromolecules, bio-inspired nanomaterials, development of scanning probe techniques.

Population Dynamics and Mathematical Biology (Prof. Shaw)
Modeling of biological systems far from equilibrium.
Stochastic and nonlinear systems.
Epidemic dynamics. Adaptive networks.

Thin Films and Nanoscale Physics (Prof. Lukaszew)
Thin films, highly anisotropic nano-magnets. Correlation between structure, surface morphology and physical properties. Proximity and induced magnetic effects. Magnetic nano-particles. Magneto-optical sensors. Bio-applications of nano-magnets. Biophotonic applications. Transport properties of magnetic thin films and nano-structures. Spintronics.

Systems Neuroscience Laboratory (Prof. Del Negro)
Cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying breathing behavior; central pattern generators, intrinsic membrane properties and cellular neurophysiology, multi-photon and confocal laser-scanning microscopy, patch-clamp electrophysiology.

Computational Biology Laboratory (Prof. Smith)
Mathematical aspects of cellular physiology and neuroscience. Whole cell models of intracellular calcium handling. Reaction-diffusion models of the buffered diffusion of intracellular calcium. The stochastic dynamics of calcium release sites composed of coupled intracellular calcium channels. Biophysically realistic modeling of neurons and neuronal networks. The role of feedback inhibition and electrical bursting in sensory relay by visual thalamus. Simulation and analysis of large-scale neuronal networks and large structured Markov chains.

Electronic Materials & Laser Spectroscopy (Prof. Luepke)
Novel electronic and magnetic materials and devices, including diluted magnetic semiconductors, high-TC superconductors, and colossal magnetoresistance materials. Dynamical processes (electronic and vibrational) localized at interfaces and in the bulk at defects and impurities. Nonlinear optical techniques based on high-power femtosecond lasers.

Applied Surface Science (Prof. Kelley)
Materials science of solid surfaces and interfaces, their synthesis and chemical processes taking place there, especially photon-driven processes. Application and development of advanced surface and microanalysis approaches to gain mechanistic understanding.

Solid State FTNMR (Prof. Vold)
Chemical physics: Solid state NMR theory and experiment. Structure and dynamics in disordered materials, including piezoelectric and ferroelectric perovskite ceramics, conducting polymers, and biologically relevant systems.

Nondestructive Evaluation & Robotics (Prof. Hinders)
Non-Invasive Medical Diagnostics. Structural Health Monitoring and Nondestructive Testing. On-line Manufacturing Process Control. Mobile Robotics Sensor Fusion. Standoff Security Screening. Signal Processing and Artificial Intellige nce. Wave Propagation and Scattering Modelling.

Nanostructures & Thin Films (Profs. Manos and Outlaw)
Surfaces and interfaces with specialized properties: resistance to corrosion, reduced friction, High-quality superconducting or semiconducting thin films, UHV systems, physical and chemical adsorption, hydrogen transport, and UHV generation of atomic oxygen and hydrogen. Electron emission sources.