Research Topics

· Electron Microscopy for Fluidics · Condensation on Superhydrophobic Surfaces · 3D Nanofabrication · EBID/CNT Interconnects

My scientific work has focused on experimental and theoretical aspects of 3D nanofabrication and electron microscopy of dynamic nanoscale processes. My current interests span “nano-to-macro” aspects of designing nanostructured materials for efficiency enhancement of industrially relevant interfacial thermofluidic processes. My long term goal is to introduce such functional materials into existing power generating and consuming equipment to provide simple and viable ways of saving energy. Specifically, I am interested in:

·Gaining a fundamental understanding of how nano/microscale surface characteristics affect the physical mechanisms and the macroscale performance of thermofluidic processes. My approach to studying such problems relies on adaptation of recent advances in electron microscopy instrumentation to develop a set of quantitative nanoscale imaging techniques, and to couple them with traditional experimental and theoretical methods.

·Designing materials which optimize the macroscale performance of a particular thermofluidic process by appropriately altering the relevant interfacial phenomena.

·Development of novel scalable 3D nanofabrication techniques, which coupled with new design guidelines, will allow for fabrication of durable “efficiency enhancing” materials.

Other Research Projects

While at NIST I also pursued secondary projects focused on nanostructure templating using metal organic frameworks and ESEM imaging of growth of osteoblastic cells on nanostructured scaffolds. Prior to joining NIST I also worked on design of HVAC and solar water heating systems, manual desalination units, radiation shielding for Spallation Neutron Source accelerator, and participated in experiments on radioactivity of 140mDy and 141Ho at Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility.