Research Areas

The three areas of research emphasized in the Materials Science program are electronic and optical materials, polymer materials, and biomaterials. These three areas are not discrete, however, as research projects in electronic polymers, nonlinear optics of polypeptides on surfaces, liquid crystals, and wear in polyethylene artificial joints demonstrate. Individual faculty members may have research interests in more than one of the primary areas, and may collaborate with others to address all three. The few examples below give a flavor of the interdisciplinary research opportunities that exist at UNC in connection with the Materials Science program. More extensive information about current research activities can be obtained from the addresses listed at the end of this brochure.

Electronic and Optical Materials:

Prof. Washburn conducts plasma reactor studies aimed at providing clean, homogeneous large-area plasmas of moderate density and temperature for semiconductor applications, specifically for the growth of large-area diamond films. Prof. Boland studies the fundamental forces driving surface nucleation and growth of materials using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Profs. McNeil and Irene are examining the fabrication and luminescence behavior of silicon oxynitride films, with possible applications to flat-panel displays. Prof. Parikh uses ion beam analysis to study doping of high-band-gap materials such as diamond and GaN for use in electronic devices. Prof. Lu conducts theoretical research on the relationship between structure and properties in fullerene molecular solids such as KxC60 and carbon nanotubes. Prof. Wu uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to characterize quantum confinement in noninteracting GaAs nanocrystals. Prof. Zhou develops new methods of synthesis of carbon nanotubes and related materials.

Polymeric Materials:

Prof. DeSimone develops new methods of synthesis of engineering thermoplastics and fibers, in particular by using supercritical carbon dioxide. Prof. McNeil uses vibrational spectroscopy to study the relation between structural order and properties in self-organized block copolymer materials. Prof. Samulski studies structure-property relations in liquid crystals and liquid crystal polymers using NMR and nonlinear optics. Prof. Superfine uses scanning probe microscopies to investigate interfacial ordering of molecules, polypeptides, polymers, and colloidal particles. Prof. Rubinstein conducts theoretical analysis of polymer properties by building and solving corresponding molecular models. Prof. Washburn studies electronic transport in conducting polymers doped either chemically or by ion implantation. Prof. Murray conducts research on charge and mass transport in amorphous solids and semi-solids. Prof. Forest studies the mathematics of crystallization in polymer flows, and models industrial fiber processes.

Biomaterials:

Prof. Bayne examines dentin structure, bonding to dentin and polymer/collagen interactions, and fatigue analysis of biological structures using finite element analysis, mechanical property testing, and strain-gauge analysis of structural deformations. Profs. Superfine and Washburn are developing a virtual reality interface for scanning probe microscopies for the manipulation of viruses and DNA. Prof. Kusy fabricates and evaluates micron-sized ultra-high-strength, ultra-high-modulus composites for dental and medical applications. Prof. Lu combines Monte Carlo simulations, molecular dynamics, and first-principles calculations to study self-assembly in a variety of systems relevant to living organisms. Prof. Buck conducts research in passive membrane electrochemistry aimed at the development of biomedical sensors for cardiology and cardiovascular science, particularly in vivo microsensors. Prof. Thompson analyzes glass-ceramic materials as potential dental restoratives, and characterizes their fracture using fractal analysis. Prof. Crenshaw focuses on the control of nucleation and of post-nucleation growth by the matrices in biomineralization and the development of biomimetic composites.