Welcome! We are a research group in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the University of Pennsylvania, located in urban Philadelphia.

Small Scale Micro- and Nanomechanics & Materials Group

How do materials deform at the micro- and nanoscale when atomic-level processes dominate?  How can we intelligently and efficiently engineer materials with functional properties at various length scales that are exposed to complex loading and harsh environments?  How can we manipulate and measure the properties of nanoscale materials that cannot be seen with the naked eye?

Our group aims to answer fundamentally inspired and technologically relevant questions about how advanced engineering materials undergo deformation.  The insight gained from our work will enable the design and use of next-generation computers, micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS), nanotechnological devices for medical, electronic, and sensing applications, and energy conversion and storage devices.  We use innovative and cutting-edge experimental techniques to study the complex interplay between events occurring at atomic length scales and macroscopic materials properties.  The correlation between structure at various length scales and properties is the overarching theme of our research.  Equipped with knowledge about mechanisms for deformation in advanced materials, we strive to engineer and tailor properties for functional use.

Postdoc position in our research lab available immediately in the area of elastic strain engineering of nanostructures for efficient energy conversion. Postdoc should possess a Ph.D. in physical sciences and engineering. Experience with micro- and nanofabrication, transmission electron microscopy, and high-fidelity transport measurements is preferred. Excellent written English and oral communication skills are required. Interested parties should contact Dan Gianola at gianola@seas.upenn.edu.  Please include a current CV and a list of 3 references with your message.