Materials Science and Engineering

Vinayak P. Dravid

Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

Abraham Harris Professor

Director, Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization (NUANCE) Center

Education

Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA

B.S. Metallurgical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India

Research Interests

There is no doubt that properties and performance of materials are dictated by complex atomic and nanoscale features and phenomena. Our research is geared towards not only their understanding but manipulation as well. Such phenomena include nanostructured materials, especially inorganic/organic hybrids, and various defects in materials.

On one front, we are investigating the synthesis, patterning and characterization of nanostructured materials such as metal/alloy nanocrystals, biomolecular nanopatterns (DNA/proteins), interfaces between inorganic nanostructures and biomolecules, etc. These structures possess unique and novel morphologies and chemistry, and their electronic structure alsdepends on size and shape. We are exploring applications of such structures, including drug delivery, bio-diagnostics and bio-chem sensing.

We are also involved in atomic-scale structure-property relationship for internal interfaces, domains and mosaics. In a large number of material systems, such as electroceramics, semiconductors, superlattices, and structural composites, the property and performance of the bulk material are intimately connected to the structure, chemistry, and electronic structure of interfaces.

The philosophy of our approach is based on sound fundamental foundation of complex phenomena, liberal use of advanced instrumentation and techniques and quest for proof-of-concepts for devices as well.

Significant Recognition

• Election to Faculty Honor Roll: NU Associated Student Government (2008-2009)
• Microscopy Society of America (MSA) Fellowship (2009)
• Richard M. Fulrath Award (2008)
• American Ceramic Society Fellow (2003)
• 6th McBain Memorial Award, NCL, India (2007)
• First McCormick Faculty Excellence Award (2006)
• Teacher of the Year (2001-2)
• NIH Sabbatical Faculty Fellow (2001-2)
• ASM-IIM Visiting Faculty Fellow (2001)
• Distinguished Alumni Service Award, IIT Bombay, India (2001)
• Kurt Heinrich Award, Microbeam Analysis Society, 1998
• R. L. Coble Award for Young Scholars, American Ceramic Society (ACerS), 1998
• Burton Medal, Microscopy Society of America (MSA), 1996
• IBM Faculty Development Award, 1995
• Exxon Foundation Fellowship, 1995
• NSF Young Investigator Award, 1993–98

Significant Professional Service

• Editor, Microscopy & Microanalysis, MSA Flagship Journal
• Editorial boards, Journal of Microscopy, Journal of Materials Research

Selected Publications

• K. Song, D. J. Sauter, J. Wu, V. P. Dravid and P. C. Stair, “Evolution of High-Energy Electron Beam Irradiation Effects on Zeolite Supported Catalyst: Metal Nanoprecipitation”, Acs Catalysis, (2012)
• D. J. Late, B. Liu, H. S. S. R. Matte, V. P. Dravid and C. N. R. Rao, “Hysteresis in Single-Layer MoS Field Effect Transistors”, Acs Nano, (2012)
• He, J.; Kanatzidis, M. G.; Dravid, V. P.; Biswas, K.; Chung, D. Y., “Enhancement of Thermoelectric Figure of Merit by the Insertion of MgTe Nanostructures in p-type PbTe Doped with Na2Te”, Advanced Energy Materials, (2012)
• He, J.; Kanatzidis, M. G.; Dravid, V. P.; Biswas, K.; Lo, S. H., “Phonon Scattering and Thermal Conductivity in p-Type Nanostructured PbTe-BaTe Bulk Thermoelectric Materials”, Advanced Functional Materials, (2012)
• D. J. Late, B. Liu, H. S. S. R. Matte, C. N. R. Rao and V. P. Dravid, “Rapid Characterization of Ultrathin Layers of Chalcogenides on SiO2/Si Substrates”, Advanced Functional Materials, (2012)
• D. J. Late, B. Liu, J. Luo, A. Yan, H. S. S. R. Matte, M. Grayson, C. N. R. Rao and V. P. Dravid, “GaS and GaSe Ultrathin Layer Transistors”, Advanced Materials, (2012)
• He, J.; Zheng, J. C.; Kanatzidis, M. G.; Dravid, V. P.; Girard, S. N., “Strong Phonon Scattering by Layer Structured PbSnS2 in PbTe Based Thermoelectric Materials”, Advanced Materials, (2012)
• G.-M. Mustata, G. S. Shekhawat, M. P. Lambert, K. L. Viola, P. T. Velasco, W. L. Klein and V. P. Dravid, “Insights into the mechanism of Alzheimer's beta-amyloid aggregation as a function of concentration by using atomic force microscopy”, Applied Physics Letters, (2012)