Laura H. Lewis, Ph.D.
Professor, Chemical Engineering Department
CV

L. H. Lewis' research in the field of nanomagnetism seeks to clarify the basic structural and magnetic factors controlling the technical magnetic response in functional magnetic nanomaterials, including advanced permanent magnets.Magnetic nanomaterials, with grain sizes in the range 10 - 100 nm, offer properties unique from their bulk counterparts by virtue of their extremely large surface:volume ratios. The dominance of the surface atoms over the bulk atoms in nanosystems changes the relative strengths of the energies involved in the transition (elastic, magnetic, anisotropies) and is thereby anticipated to change the nature of the magnetic ground state. Nanostructured magnetic materials are anticipated to form the basis of a variety of functional devices including ultra-strong, ultra-light magnetic components for transportation systems, highly efficient transformers and motors, vibrational energy harvesting devices and multifunctional sensors.

Latika Menon, Ph.D.
Professor, Physics Department
lab web site; CV

Professor Menon's research interest is in the area of nanoscience and nanotechnology. As the name suggests, 'nanotechnology' refers to the development of materials in the size range of a few nanometers and their conversion into useful technology. In order to prepare future high-performance devices based on these materials, several fundamental issues need to be considered. New methods to prepare nanomaterials must be developed which are amenable to device fabrication, appropriate experiments must be devised which will allow us to investigate the fundamental properties of these materials for exploitation in devices. In addition, there are several device processing issues which must be considered for such small structures. Addressing all of these issues requires an interdisciplinary approach. My research goal is to develop an interdisciplinary program in nanoscience and technology which will address the basic science of nanomaterials and will also explore their utilization in useful technology.

Don Heiman, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Physics
lab web site; CV

Professor Heiman's research group focuses on several challenging and technologically important areas: (1) spintronic materials and devices; (2) synthesis of novel magnetic materials; and (3) study of nanodots and nanowires composed of ferromagnets and semiconductors. The group's experimental tools include molecular beam epitaxy apparatus, magneto-optics up to 14 tesla, and SQUID magnetometer.