Microstructural Science

The goals of microstructural science research at CMU are to understand the origins of the quantifiable characteristics of polycrystals and soft materials that arise during processing, to develop strategies for influencing these characteristics in predictable ways, and to define microstructural metrics that can be directly related to macroscopic properties and performance. Phenomena of interest include grain growth, recrystallization, phase transformations, polymer morphology and polymer-based nanoparticle assemblies, and the physical properties of polycrystals and organic-inorganic heterogeneous materials. Research involves the study of materials used in structural, electrical, and magnetic applications. The program applies both experimental (electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, x-ray scattering, nanoindentation, and scanning Auger microscopy) and computational methods (Monte Carlo, finite element, finite difference, molecular dynamics, and ab-initio calculations). Much of this research is conducted in the CMU MRSEC.

MSE Faculty with focused efforts in Microstructural Science Research are:

Additional MSE and Courtesy Faculty involved in Microstructural Science Research are: