Seminars

DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING SERIES (1130 ME)
Topic: Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
Host: Tianhong Cui

Functionally Gradient, Multifunctional and Self-Organized Nanocomposite
Thin Films and Surface Layers

by

Efstathios I. Meletis,
Professor & Director
Materials Science & Engineering Program
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas 76019

Wednesday, April 13, 2005
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Room 1130 ME
Coffee and cookies will be available at 3:15 p.m. in Room 1130 ME before the seminar

Abstract: Driven in parallel by the demands of technology and the inquisitiveness of basic science/engineering, the last decade has brought an explosion in the development of new materials. In this effort, design and synthesis of surface layer and thin film systems present particular advantages and interest since several material properties are surface-sensitive and scale-dependent and applications demand materials with novel properties for miniaturized, small-scale components and devices (MEMS, NEMS, etc.). These needs led to research in functionally gradient, multifunctional nano structured films. An overview of research activities in the Surface and Nanostructure Engineering Laboratory will be presented, involving: (i) development of functionally gradient surface layers by utilizing intensified plasma-assisted processing (a technique developed in our laboratory); (ii) Metal-containing nanocomposite diamondlike carbon films with functionally gradient interfaces; (iii) multifunctional (mechanical, tribological, magnetic, etc.) metal/ceramic nanocomposite and multilayered thin films; and (iv) epitaxially grown, self-organized oxide, nano structured thin films with high potential in ‘bottom-up’ nanofabrication of devices.

Bio: Professor Efstathios I. Meletis received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He held appointments at Georgia Tech, IIT Research Institute, University of California, Davis and Louisiana State University where he was an Endowed MSE Professor. Dr. Meletis has been a recipient of the William Fulbright Scholar Research Award. He is currently Professor and Director of MSE at The University of Texas at Arlington.
Dr. Meletis’ major research areas are in surface engineering, multifunctional thin films, small-scale materials and material-environment interactions. In the area of surface engineering, he has invented novel intensified plasma treatments for surface hardening and producing functionally gradient surface layers. In the area of nanomaterials, his group was the first to observe self-assembling of perovskite-type oxides and metal/ceramic nanocomposite thin films with high aspect ratio. His recent work focuses on multifunctional, self-assembled nanocomposite thin films, scale effects on material properties and nanofabrication. His research program has been funded by NSF, NASA, ARO, DARPA, and other federal and industrial sources.


Informal Faculty Luncheon: : Wednesday, April 13, 2005, 12:00 noon. Meet in 1100 ME and walk to lunch with other faculty. Prof. Efstathios Meletis will be able to attend.