Thin Film Technology for Multifunctional Applications

The focus of the research is to develop a means by which application specific coatings can be efficiently designed, using an integrated approach tailored towards rapid scale-up and industrial production. In order to develop a strong well-integrated research program focused at the understanding of structure-property relationship in advanced engineering coating materials, pulsed laser deposition, sputtering, microwave chemical vapor deposition, and sol-gel techniques  have been employed to grow micro and nano-crystalline diamond and carbon nanotube for MEMS, cutting tools, sensors and flat panel display applications. This research aims to elucidate the understanding the mechanisms controlling synthesis, structure, properties and performance relationships in thin film and thereby demonstrate routes for improved properties with engineered interface and surface modification.

Sponsor: NSF CAREER, NSF GOALI, NSF DMII, NSF MRI, NSF NIRT, International Sematech Inc., Faraday Technology, General Motors, Center for Tribology

Principal Investigator: Ashok Kumar

Collaborators: General Motors, Institute of Microelectronics, Singapore, Center for Tribology Inc., Iowa State University