Check out the Micron Center for Materials Research and other MSE facilities on this virtual tour!
The Materials Theory and Modelling Group develops and applies computer-based theoretical methodologies including DFT to capture structure-property-performance relationships and design materials for desired device performance.
The Electrochemical Energy Materials Laboratory (EEML) leverages electrochemistry, surface chemistry, battery technology, and materials science and engineering. Current group interests include (1) synthesizing and characterizing new nano-architectured electrode materials for energy storage and conversion, (2) developing a better understanding of structure-property-processing-performance relationships in order to further advance functional material development, (3) probing and understanding the topography and surface reactivity of solid-state electrode materials using environmental-controlled AFM/SECM, and (4) radiation effect on nuclear materials.
The Atomic Films Lab works to develop thin film deposition and characterization processes and to apply thin film coatings to a range of applications. A key area of our research is the development of atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for atomically-thin two-dimensional (2D) materials, which may be only a few atoms in thickness. Group interests lie in developing new ALD processes for materials with potentially useful properties. Often, it is necessary to understand the chemical reactions at a fundamental level in order to establish a reliable ALD process. To gain this fundamental understanding, the group uses a range of characterization tools.
The Computational Materials Engineering Laboratory leverages thermodynamics for social good! The group works to create and use computational tools that efficiently generate important configurations of molecules. The goal of these computational models are: (1) To provide fundamental insight into material structure when physical characterization is inadequate, and (2) To identify the most promising material candidates when there are too many choices.
The NMDG focuses on collaborative effort combining expertise in photonics & plasmonics, biomolecular self assembly, dna, and electrical characterization of nanodevices.
The MML studies the magneto-mechanics of magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs), primarily Ni-Mn-Ga. The group processes alloys and single crystals starting from high-purity elements and characterize their structure, microstructure , crystal defects, deformation mechanisms, magnetic properties, and magnetic-field-induced strain with various techniques. Besides bulk single crystals, the MML also studies MSMAs in the form of metallic foam, thin films, fibers, and nanostructures.
The Functional Ceramics Group focuses on the structure-property relationships in functional ceramics and damage evolution in nuclear graphite.
Research at the Computational Biosciences Laboratory (CBL) at Boise State University focuses on applying computational models to understand the mechanisms of disease, injury and degeneration, and designing targeted treatment options and surgical interventions to address clinical issues and athletic performance.
The advanced materials lab partners with CAES, INL and others to study nuclear materials and materials for advanced reactor development. The AML is engaged in a variety of research programs focused on materials processing and materials performance in extreme environments. Much of the current research is focused on nuclear enabling technologies, including advanced materials development and sensors developments for in-situ nuclear reactor applications as part of the In-Pile Instrumentation Program, or I2.
The Advanced Nanomaterials and Manufacturing Laboratory (ANML) is devoted to developing material and manufacturing solutions for emerging engineering problems which have no regard for political, socioeconomic, or cultural boundaries. The ANML uses “top-down” and “bottom-up” techniques to synthesize nanoscale building blocks for the design of materials, devices, and systems with applications in the healthcare, defense, and energy sectors. Group members collaborate with multi-scale computational modeling experts from around the globe to enable an Atoms-to-Devices approach in our investigations. Research goals include transforming these materials into practical devices using compatible and low cost additive manufacturing technology.
The Applied Electrochemistry and Corrosion Research Lab at Boise State conducts important academic and industry related research while offering select undergraduate students an opportunity to learn and grow as engineers into professional careers that will benefit them and society.
Specific research interests within the Collaboration for the Epitaxy of Nanomaterials center on the synthesis of novel semiconductor nanomaterials and nanostructures, for example quantum dots, 2D materials, thin films and nanowires. To do this group members use molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), an advanced technique for growing ultrapure semiconductor crystals with atomic-level control over nanomaterial size.
The Computational Materials Design Lab develops physics-based and data-driven models to understand the inter-relationships between chemistry, processing, structure, and property in materials.
The King research group combines ultrafast spectroscopy and computational modeling to study structure, properties, and dynamics of materials. The lab is equipped with two amplified femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser systems capable of producing high-energy pulses tunable over a broad spectral bandwidth, from the UV to mid-IR. Primary areas of current research involve time-domain terahertz spectroscopy, vibrational sum frequency generation, and time-resolved multidimensional pump-probe techniques. The group also employs computational methods to aid in the understanding of the underlying physical phenomena uncovered by experimental observations, as well as for the design and prediction of material structure and properties.
The Macromolecular Science Laboratory creates sustainable soft materials. Research group work combines fundamental polymer chemistry with materials science and engineering to create new solutions to global challenges.
Studies in the Mechanical Adaptations Laboratory are directed towards understanding how changes in tissue mechanical environment in relation to exercise, aging and unloading regulate stem cell function.
The Thermal Transport and Solar Energy Lab is focused on the intersection of thermal and mass transport with a variety of different energy systems. Group research has investigated radiative properties of nanoparticles, erosion in high temperature environments, desalination, and the design of hybrid thermal/photovoltaic solar collectors.
The Hydrologic Interfaces and Processes Lab studies fundamental processes controlling carbon, nutrient, and contaminant fate in natural aquatic systems. While this work spans a wide range of fields, it is unified by a goal of building predictive macroscale models that respect the variability underlying these fundamental processes. Research consists of laboratory experiments ranging in scale from micrometers to meters, field experiments in streams at the scale of tens to hundreds of meters, and stochastic modeling to connect these scales.
