Research Project Titles sorted by Category

Below is a summary of titles for research project abstracts provided by individual faculty. The research project titles are organized by category, and links are provided to the faculty who are actively researching the area.

Click the Research Category link to view project abstracts. Note that some projects are cross-listed in multiple categories.

Research Category	Project Titles
Advanced Ceramic Materials Projects involving advanced ceramics and their synthesis, processing and mechanical properties. Associated Faculty Melissa J. Baumann Eldon D. Case Jason Nicholas	Microcracking in Bioceramics Ceramic Membrane Water Filtration Combined with Ozonation Mechano-Chemical Coupling in Energy-Related Materials Curvature Relaxation Surface Exchange Measurements
Advanced Metallic Systems Alloy development and process design for improved properties Associated Faculty Thomas R. Bieler Carl Boehlert Martin A. Crimp David S. Grummon Andre Y. Lee Robert Y. Ofoli K.N. Subramanian	Rational design and assessment of catalytic nanoparticles Characterization of damage nucleation in Ti Alloys High Temperature Shape Memory Alloy Development for Use above 500 C. Imaging of Dislocations in Bulk SEM Samples Elevated-Temp Grain Boundary Deformation Processes of Structural Alloys: Grain Boundary Engineering Lead-Free Electronic Solders for Severe Service Conditions Physical-Mechanical Metallurgy of pure Niobium for Superconducting Radio Frequency Cavities Microstructural Evolution from Ageing, Creep and Thermomechanical Fatigue in Lead Free Solder Joints Deformation Transfer and/or Fracture Initiation in Commercial Purity Ti Damage nucleation in pure Ta Thin Film Shape Memory Alloys on Polymeric Substrates for Microactuators Development of Nanostructured Lead-free Solder Radiation Effects on the Structure and Electronic Properties of Carbon Nanotubes Growth and Characterization of Rare-Earth Silicide Nanowires and Nanostructures Nitinol Brazing Functional Superelastic Interlayers for Control of Friction and Wear in Hard-Coated Components Development of In-Situ Electron-Microscopy Techniques The Effect of Boron the Creep and Fatigue Behavior of Ti-6Al-4V(wt.%) Understanding the Microstructural Evolution and Deformation Behavior in Mg-Mn-RE Alloys Characterization and Modeling of Deformation Induced Damage in Ti Alloys
Biobased Industrial Products Projects leading to products made from renewable resources. Associated Faculty Kris Arvid Berglund Bruce E. Dale David Hodge Carl T. Lira Dennis J Miller Robert Y. Ofoli Tim A. Whitehead	Life Cycle Models of Biobased Product Systems Utilization of Renewable Resources Property Measurement and Prediction for Bio-derived Chemicals Hydrogenolysis of Carbohydrate Feedstocks Aqueous Phase Hydrogenation of Organic Acids Advanced Biofuel Blends as Petroleum Diesel Replacements Reactive Separations Distilled Beverage Technology for Value Added Agricultural Products Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Biomass Utilizing Alkaline Pretreatments Catalytic transformation of biorenewables to petrochemicals Beverage technology Alkaline and Oxidative Pretreatments of Lignocellulose Design and Engineering of Protein Function
Biomaterials Development of materials to function in living systems Associated Faculty Melissa J. Baumann Carl Boehlert Scott Calabrese Barton Eldon D. Case Christina Chan Lawrence T. Drzal David Hodge Ilsoon Lee Robert Y. Ofoli	'Green’ Biobased Sustainable Polymer and NanoComposite Materials Alkaline and Oxidative Pretreatments of Lignocellulose Microcracking in Bioceramics Bioactive Hydroxyapatite Whisker Composite Ceramic Bone Substitutes Colloidal Interfaces between Biomaterials and Biological Tissue Engineering Surfaces and Interfaces Tissue Engineering Delivery System Opto-electrochemical characterization of bilayer-embedded biomacromolecules in TIR geometry Biomedical Compatibility of Ti-Al-Nb Alloys for Implant Applications Self-assembled, Nanostructured Biomimetic Interfaces Bio-Carbon Nanomaterials Transport and Stability in Biocatalytic Fuel Cells Photosynthesis on a chip: microscale energy production
Biomedical Engineering Addressing medical problems by application of engineering principles. Associated Faculty Christina Chan S. Patrick Walton Tim A. Whitehead	Tissue Engineering Systems Biology Metabolic Engineering and Flux Analysis in vitro Interactions of RNAs with Recombinant Human Dicer Molecular Barcode-Labeled Aptamers for Parallel Protein Measurements Quantitative, Genomics-Based Measurement of Transcription Factor Levels Delivery of siRNAs by Polymeric Nanoparticles Design and Engineering of Protein Function Delivery System Biophysical Interactions
Biomolecular Engineering Manipulation of the physical and chemical characteristics of biomolecules for improved performance Associated Faculty Christina Chan S. Patrick Walton Tim A. Whitehead	Systems Biology in vitro Interactions of RNAs with Recombinant Human Dicer Molecular Barcode-Labeled Aptamers for Parallel Protein Measurements Quantitative, Genomics-Based Measurement of Transcription Factor Levels Delivery of siRNAs by Polymeric Nanoparticles Design and Engineering of Protein Function Delivery System
Biotechnology Projects combining biology and microbiology with engineering. Associated Faculty Melissa J. Baumann Carl Boehlert Christina Chan Bruce E. Dale Martin C Hawley Ilsoon Lee Ramani Narayan Robert Y. Ofoli S. Patrick Walton Tim A. Whitehead R Mark Worden	Life Cycle Models of Biobased Product Systems Utilization of Renewable Resources Conversion of Biomass into Fuel and Chemicals Biodegradation and Composting Studies Biobased and Recyclable Composite Materials Metabolic Engineering Multiphase Biocatalysis Metabolic Engineering and Flux Analysis Engineering Surfaces and Interfaces Protein Expression Catalytic transformation of biorenewables to petrochemicals Opto-electrochemical characterization of bilayer-embedded biomacromolecules in TIR geometry Rational design and assessment of catalytic nanoparticles Biomedical Compatibility of Ti-Al-Nb Alloys for Implant Applications Ceramic Membrane Water Filtration Combined with Ozonation Self-assembled, Nanostructured Biomimetic Interfaces Bio-Carbon Nanomaterials Wrinkle-free Nanomechanical Films in vitro Interactions of RNAs with Recombinant Human Dicer Molecular Barcode-Labeled Aptamers for Parallel Protein Measurements Quantitative, Genomics-Based Measurement of Transcription Factor Levels Delivery of siRNAs by Polymeric Nanoparticles Design and Engineering of Protein Function Photosynthesis on a chip: microscale energy production Systems Biology
Colloid and Interface Science Projects studying large charged molecules and/or molecules at interfaces between phases. Associated Faculty Melissa J. Baumann Ilsoon Lee Robert Y. Ofoli	Novel Fabrication of Nanostructured Particles with an Arbitrary Shape Colloidal Interfaces between Biomaterials and Biological Tissue Rational design and assessment of catalytic nanoparticles Engineering Surfaces and Interfaces Catalytic transformation of biorenewables to petrochemicals Opto-electrochemical characterization of bilayer-embedded biomacromolecules in TIR geometry Self-assembled, Nanostructured Biomimetic Interfaces Bio-Carbon Nanomaterials Nanomixing or Nanodispersion of Nanomaterials Wrinkle-free Nanomechanical Films
Electronic Materials Materials and processing for enabling microelectronic, optical, and electromechanical systems Associated Faculty Thomas R. Bieler Martin A. Crimp Tim Hogan Andre Y. Lee Ilsoon Lee Donald Morelli K.N. Subramanian	Microstructural Evolution from Ageing, Creep and Thermomechanical Fatigue in Lead Free Solder Joints Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Materials and Devices Lead-Free Electronic Solders for Severe Service Conditions Engineering Surfaces and Interfaces Development of Nanostructured Lead-free Solder Radiation Effects on the Structure and Electronic Properties of Carbon Nanotubes Growth and Characterization of Rare-Earth Silicide Nanowires and Nanostructures New Materials for Thermoelectric Energy Conversion
Energy Production Projects concerning production and utilization of energy. Associated Faculty Scott Calabrese Barton Eldon D. Case Bruce E. Dale Lawrence T. Drzal David Hodge Tim Hogan Carl T. Lira Jason Nicholas Robert Y. Ofoli	Utilization of Renewable Resources Property Measurement and Prediction for Bio-derived Chemicals Life Cycle Models of Biobased Product Systems Processing and Characterization of Thermoelectric Materials Alkaline and Oxidative Pretreatments of Lignocellulose Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Materials and Devices Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Biomass Utilizing Alkaline Pretreatments Mixed-feed Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Nanomaterials (Graphene Nano-Platelets) as Multifunctional Materials for Energy and Polymers Photosynthesis on a chip: microscale energy production Mechano-Chemical Coupling in Energy-Related Materials Curvature Relaxation Surface Exchange Measurements
Environmental Research Projects studying the environmental impact of processes, and/or remediation. Associated Faculty Bruce E. Dale	Life Cycle Models of Biobased Product Systems
Metabolic Engineering The study of intracellular pathways in areas of biomedical and biotechnology. Associated Faculty Christina Chan Tim A. Whitehead	Metabolic Engineering and Flux Analysis Systems Biology Design and Engineering of Protein Function
Nanomaterials Improving material properties by manipulating atomic structure at the nanometer scale Associated Faculty Melissa J. Baumann Scott Calabrese Barton Christina Chan Lawrence T. Drzal Martin C Hawley Krishnamurthy Jayaraman Andre Y. Lee Ilsoon Lee Jason Nicholas Robert Y. Ofoli	Ceramic Membrane Water Filtration Combined with Ozonation Nanomaterials (Graphene Nano-Platelets) as Multifunctional Materials for Energy and Polymers Carbon Nanotube Synthesis with Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition Polymer Nanocomposites and Nanocomposite Foams Catalytic transformation of biorenewables to petrochemicals Delivery System Development of Nanostructured Lead-free Solder Engineering Surfaces and Interfaces Tissue Engineering Opto-electrochemical characterization of bilayer-embedded biomacromolecules in TIR geometry Self-assembled, Nanostructured Biomimetic Interfaces Bio-Carbon Nanomaterials Transport and Stability in Biocatalytic Fuel Cells Mixed-feed Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Novel Fabrication of Nanostructured Particles with an Arbitrary Shape Nanomixing or Nanodispersion of Nanomaterials Migration of Nanomaterials from Polymer Nanocomposite Systems Wrinkle-free Nanomechanical Films Rational design and assessment of catalytic nanoparticles Photosynthesis on a chip: microscale energy production Mechano-Chemical Coupling in Energy-Related Materials Curvature Relaxation Surface Exchange Measurements
Polymer Composites Projects studying polymers strengthened by fibers or other materials Associated Faculty Lawrence T. Drzal Martin C Hawley Krishnamurthy Jayaraman Andre Y. Lee Ilsoon Lee K.N. Subramanian	Electromagnetic Processing of Polymers and Composites Nanomaterials (Graphene Nano-Platelets) as Multifunctional Materials for Energy and Polymers Polymer Nanocomposites and Nanocomposite Foams 'Green’ Biobased Sustainable Polymer and NanoComposite Materials Polymer Composites with Low CTE Particulate Fillers Engineering Surfaces and Interfaces Durability Characterization of POSS-based Polyimides and Carbon-Fiber Composites Self-assembled, Nanostructured Biomimetic Interfaces Bio-Carbon Nanomaterials Expanded and Oriented Particulate Polymer Composites Wrinkle-free Nanomechanical Films
Polymer Science and Engineering Projects involving properties and/or processing of polymeric materials. Associated Faculty Lawrence T. Drzal Krishnamurthy Jayaraman Andre Y. Lee Ilsoon Lee Ramani Narayan	Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Polymers Engineering and Design of Natural-Synthetic Polymer Composite Systems Reactive Extrusion Processing Extrusion and extensional flow of thermoplastic elastomers Molecular Dynamics in Polymeric Glass Transition Nanomaterials (Graphene Nano-Platelets) as Multifunctional Materials for Energy and Polymers Structure-Property Relationships of Polymer Nanocomposites Engineering Surfaces and Interfaces Self-assembled, Nanostructured Biomimetic Interfaces Bio-Carbon Nanomaterials Novel Fabrication of Nanostructured Particles with an Arbitrary Shape Nanomixing or Nanodispersion of Nanomaterials Expanded and Oriented Particulate Polymer Composites Wrinkle-free Nanomechanical Films
Rheology and Multiphase Flow Projects for understanding the behavior of fluid flow fields. Associated Faculty Scott Calabrese Barton Krishnamurthy Jayaraman Ilsoon Lee Charles A Petty	Novel Fabrication of Nanostructured Particles with an Arbitrary Shape Relaxation Models for Turbulent Mass Transfer Near Free and Rigid Interfaces Drag Reduction by High Molecular Weight Polymers Extrusion and extensional flow of thermoplastic elastomers Polymer Nanocomposites and Nanocomposite Foams Mixed-feed Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Nanomixing or Nanodispersion of Nanomaterials
Separation Science Projects focusing on separation/purification technologies. Associated Faculty Kris Arvid Berglund David Hodge Carl T. Lira Dennis J Miller Charles A Petty	Crystallization of foods and pharmaceuticals Effects of Polymer Additives on Hydrocyclone Performance Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Biomass Utilizing Alkaline Pretreatments Reactive Separations
Structural Materials Metals, ceramics, and polymers for optimized mechanical performance Associated Faculty Thomas R. Bieler Carl Boehlert Martin A. Crimp Krishnamurthy Jayaraman Ilsoon Lee	Deformation Transfer and/or Fracture Initiation in Commercial Purity Ti Elevated-Temp Grain Boundary Deformation Processes of Structural Alloys: Grain Boundary Engineering Imaging of Dislocations in Bulk SEM Samples Microstructural Evolution from Ageing, Creep and Thermomechanical Fatigue in Lead Free Solder Joints Engineering Surfaces and Interfaces Understanding Processing-Microstructure-Property Relationships of Structural Magnesium Alloys Self-assembled, Nanostructured Biomimetic Interfaces Bio-Carbon Nanomaterials Novel Fabrication of Nanostructured Particles with an Arbitrary Shape Development of In-Situ Electron-Microscopy Techniques The Effect of Boron the Creep and Fatigue Behavior of Ti-6Al-4V(wt.%) Expanded and Oriented Particulate Polymer Composites Wrinkle-free Nanomechanical Films Characterization and Modeling of Deformation Induced Damage in Ti Alloys
Sustainable Economy Projects aimed at life-cycle analysis and products/processes using renewable resources. Associated Faculty Scott Calabrese Barton Bruce E. Dale David Hodge Carl T. Lira Dennis J Miller Jason Nicholas Robert Y. Ofoli Tim A. Whitehead	Life Cycle Models of Biobased Product Systems Utilization of Renewable Resources Property Measurement and Prediction for Bio-derived Chemicals Hydrogenolysis of Carbohydrate Feedstocks Aqueous Phase Hydrogenation of Organic Acids Reactive Separations Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Biomass Utilizing Alkaline Pretreatments Catalytic transformation of biorenewables to petrochemicals Rational design and assessment of catalytic nanoparticles Transport and Stability in Biocatalytic Fuel Cells Mixed-feed Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Alkaline and Oxidative Pretreatments of Lignocellulose Design and Engineering of Protein Function Photosynthesis on a chip: microscale energy production Mechano-Chemical Coupling in Energy-Related Materials Curvature Relaxation Surface Exchange Measurements

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