Alloy Theory Laboratory
We combine computational, data-driven, and experimental approaches to understand how chemistry, disorder, defects, vibrations, and processing control materials performance in nuclear, high-temperature, and other extreme environments.
Current directions
Our work moves between atomic-scale mechanisms, predictive computation, and experimental validation.
We investigate how electronic structure, local bonding, lattice distortions, and vibrational entropy influence phase stability and chemical ordering in compositionally complex alloys. High-throughput calculations and machine learning are used to identify physically meaningful trends and candidate compositions.
We study how chemistry, dimensionality, structural complexity, and disorder reshape lattice vibrations and thermal transport. Systems of interest include refractory compounds, MAX phases, MXenes, oxides, and compositionally complex materials for thermal management.
We compare how crystalline and disordered structures accommodate energetic disturbances, defects, and compositional complexity. The goal is to establish structure–response relationships that can guide the design of radiation-tolerant materials for nuclear applications.
Mechanical alloying and related nonequilibrium processing routes enable rapid exploration of multicomponent powders, metastable phases, and amorphous structures. Computation is used to interpret structural evolution and guide composition selection.
We connect computational materials design with experimental processing, including alloy synthesis, thermal treatment, additive manufacturing concepts, oxidation testing, and mechanical characterization.
Research capabilities & infrastructure
UW Advanced Research Computing, large-scale national allocations, and automated high-throughput workflows.
Inert-atmosphere handling and integrated workflows for reactive alloy processing.
Button-alloy synthesis under controlled atmosphere for rapid composition screening.
Mechanical alloying and nonequilibrium powder processing for multicomponent and amorphous alloys.
Controlled thermal treatments and oxidation studies for alloy stability and environmental response.
Load–displacement measurements, hardness mapping, and small-scale mechanical characterization.
Collaborations
The group works with researchers across universities and national laboratories. New collaborations with academic, national-laboratory, and industry partners working on extreme-environment materials are welcome.
Lab life & highlights
Campus, research, and facility images will gradually be replaced by photographs of the laboratory and team as the group grows.
Team photographs and day-to-day research.
Laboratory development, instruments, and workflows.
Talks, posters, workshops, and collaborations.
Publications, awards, graduations, and group achievements.