Characterization of Complex Materials for Energy, Medical and Environmental Applications Using Advanced Dynamic Atomic Force Microscopy Methods
Prof. Arvind Raman
Robert V. Adams Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Multi-scale, multi-functional materials occur in a number of man-made and natural systems that are related to energy, environment and health. Such materials range from nano-composites for energy harvesting and storage to wood cells to nano-cellulose based composites and live cells to active biomaterials. The nanoscale structure and interfaces of such materials often control their material properties and bulk behavior. Thus there is a great need for high resolution nanoscale resolution imaging that goes much beyond topography characterization to mapping of multiple physical properties. The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is a cornerstone instrument for mapping such properties. In this talk I will provide an overview of advanced techniques using the AFM that provided unprecedented insight into research on live cells under action of drugs, nano-cellulose and enzymatic action on wood cells, and sub-surface characterization of carbon nanotube/graphene/fullerene based nanocomposites for photovoltaic, flexible electronics and energy storage applications.
Biographical Information
Dr. Arvind Raman is the Robert V. Adams Professor of Mechanical Engineering with interests in applied nonlinear dynamics, nanomechanics, and fluid-structure interactions. His group has significantly advanced the understanding of complex dynamics in nanotechnology applications such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS), in gyroscopic systems for data storage and manufacturing, in electronics cooling, and in biomechanics. He has mentored fifteen PhD students, co-authored more than a hundred and twenty journal articles, held visiting positions at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (Spain), University of Oxford (UK), and Darmstadt University of Technology (Germany), and secured funding from the NSF, NIH, NASA, NNSA, and several national and international industrial sponsors. He is an ASME fellow and recipient of the Gustus Larson Memorial Award from the ASME, Keeley fellowship (Wadham College, Oxford), College of Engineering outstanding young investigator award, and the NSF CAREER award. At Purdue he has pioneered the use of cyber-infrastructure in the AFM community for research and education through advanced simulation tools and online classes which are used by thousands around the world and led College of Engineering strategic initiatives for global engagement in Latin America. He is currently the Associate Dean for Global Programs in Engineering.