Dr. Chelikowsky is an expert in materials science, quantum mechanics and density functional theory’s application to semiconducting materials. He uses computers to research the properties of semiconductor materials, understand the behavior of nanodevices and to develop new material structures such as nanotubes and submicron devices. Chelikowsky’s theoretical calculations can sometimes predict the properties and behavior of materials better than actual experimentation. In one current project, he is studying the optical properties and electron transport in semiconductor nanostructures.