Hydrothermal processing enables the synthesis of many crystalline ceramic materials without a calcination step at temperatures of 200oC and lower.

Our research is focused on polymeric materials and their application to the production of nanostructures and biomaterials. With the strong ties to surface science in these areas, selective surface modification of polymeric materials is a strong thrust in our group.

Our research group is investigating a recently developed injection technology for quickly and inexpensively manufacturing coatings comprised of nano-scale features of virtually any material that can be dispersed in a solvent and that melts.

We are interested in developing predictive capabilities to model the final multiscale structure of metal alloys during and after solidification.

A central focus of ceramic research in recent years has been microstructural design employing integrated consideration of processing-property relationships.

Researchers have demonstrated that unique properties can be developed in materials using powder slurry green bodies that are formed using centrifugal processing.

From cellular phones and compact discs to jet engines large enough to contain a standing person, heterolayer technology is a vital part of engineered products.

This project applies state-of-the-art techniques of materials processing and characterization to the study of piezoelectric oxide materials, to establish quantitative links between domain orientation and the various mechanisms of poling.

One way of allowing a superalloy gas turbine blade to operate at higher temperatures is to apply a thermal barrier coating - essentially a layer of insulation that keeps the surface of the metal cooler. This requires appropriate mechanical properties, as measured by Professor Trice, and the coatings must be free of dangerous flaws.