Faculty Mentors

Participating Mentor and Department

Nature of Research Activity

Jason Trelewicz and Gary Halada –​Materials Science and Chemical Engineering

Nanoscience to Improve Durability of 3D Printed Stainless Steel

The goal of the project is to understand how very small changes in alloy microstructure (due to printing with high power laser techniques) can affect the electronic properties of surface passive films - films that can resist a corrosive current driven by a field of millions of volts per meter.

Esther Takeuchi​ Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science and Chemical Engineering

Nanotechnology for Energy Applications

This program will focus on nanomaterial applications for energy storage (batteries).  Topics we will explore will cover characterizing the materials, conducting functional electrochemistry, and evaluating how the materials change when they are used in batteries. 

Taejin Kim and Gary Halada –​ Materials Science and Chemical Engineering

Nanoscale Mechanisms in Recycling of Textiles

In this project, we will use state-of-the-art chemical spectroscopies, surface analysis, electron microscopy, and other techniques to optimize fiber-to-fiber recycling of cotton textiles for a circular economy approach which has the potential to have a major impact on the sustainable fashion industry.

M. Ete Chan –​ Biomedical Engineering

Health applications of nanotechnology

Design and development for either health monitoring technology or biomanufacturing system.  Through these projects, we will learn more about Health Monitoring Technology: how 3D design, 3D printing, electronics and innovative specialized sensors using nano structured materials can help monitor health, or Biomanufacturing system: how physical stimulation can induce nano-scale change in biological cells to induce rapid expansion of cells used in immunotherapy for cancer.

Wei Yin –​ Biomedical Engineering

Health applications of nanotechnology

The project will utilize clinical image analysis, computational modeling, and algorithm development for disease prediction.

Miriam Rafailovich and Michael Cuiffo – Materials Science and Chemical Engineering

Health applications of nanotechnology

COVID-related research involving simulation of the activity of viruses under various conditions, followed by testing with a COVID-analog to optimize the resulting model. The REU student will also assist in design of a COVID biosensor for point-of-care application with results obtained on a cell phone.  A student is also invited to participate in the development of nanocomposite 3D printing materials for enhanced fire resistance and enhanced electrical conductivity. 

Amy Marschilok Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science and Chemical Engineering

Electrochemical Science of Nanomaterials for Energy Applications

This project will focus on electrochemistry-based and electrochemically-coupled methods to study functional nanomaterials, with an emphasis on solid-liquid interfacial phenomena.

Thomas Woodson
Department of Technology & Society

Evaluating the Impact of Nanotechnology on Marginalized Communities

Nanotechnology allows scientists and engineers to create a variety of advanced materials that are revolutionizing fields such as healthcare, energy, and computing. However, how will nanotechnology harm or benefit marginalized communities around the world? This summer we will evaluate the impacts of nanotechnology on marginalized communities by analyzing publication data and creating agent-based models.

David Rubenstein Department of Biomedical Engineering

 Vascular tissue engineering