1. Nanotechnology
2. Amorphous Materials
3. Materials for Extreme Environments

The overarching goal of our multidisciplinary research is to develop a physically-based understanding of the structural transformations and chemical reactions occurring on material surfaces and at solid/solid, solid/liquid interfaces under extreme environments and conditions far from equilibrium. The broader impact of this research will be to aid in the rational design and synthesis of new, modified, and improved materials able to withstand harsh conditions, exhibiting improved tribological performance (i.e., low friction and wear), and suitable for a wide range of technological applications (e.g., engines, aerospace components, hard-disk overcoats, films for nanoelectromechanical systems).