Condensed Matter
Condensed Matter Physics (CMP) is the study of materials or systems in solid, liquid, or granular form. CMP at DU is a highly interdisciplinary effort, with professors collaborating with biologists, chemists, engineers and materials scientists on problems ranging from complex systems and nonlinear dynamics, to the magnetic, thermal, structural, chemical, spectroscopic, and electronic properties of nanoscale and molecular systems.
Professor Pufall's research focuses on the magnetization dynamics induced by the interaction between polarized conduction electron spins flowing through nanoscale ferromagnetic structures. It seeks to 1) develop a detailed understanding of the spin transfer interaction by looking at the induced dynamics; 2) use the spin transfer effect to probe spin transport and magnetism at the nanoscale; 3) explore novel device architectures that utilize spin transfer effects for potential high-frequency (100 GHz) applications.
Professor Zink's research interests focus on using micro- and nanofabrication techniques to control and measure the thermal, magnetic and electronic properties of systems to study the fundamental physics of new materials and apply this knowledge for new technologies. Much of his recent fundamental work has focused on studying electronic, magnetic or vibrational states of amorphous solids. His current emphasis is on two areas: measuring thermal transport and thermopower of thin films and nanostructures from 300 mK to above 300 K, and studying new physics and new applications of high resolution microcalorimeter x-ray and gamma-ray detectors.
Professor Shaheen's condensed matter research is in the area of organic and nanostructured semiconductor physics and organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. His work entails design of new molecular light absorbers and charge transporters, and studies on the nature of charge transport and recombination in donor-acceptor blends, the effects of donor-acceptor morphology on device physics, novel OPV device architectures, modeling of OPV device performance, and large-area module development. He is currently also examining the use of organic semiconductors for dynamic and nonlinear electronics. Futher information can be found on his group homepage.
Professor Balzar's research interests are mainly in studies of materials' properties by diffraction methods. The focus is on strain and defect determination through the measurement and modeling of diffraction line broadening, and development of methods for analysis of residual strain/stress, texture, and defects in materials. Materials currently of interest include ferroelectrics, wide band-gap semiconductors, and nanocomposites for biomedical applications.
Professor Amme's Environmental Materials Laboratory is engaged in studying the benefits of recycling scrap tire rubber into several very useful products. Among these products are: Radiation Shielding, Asphalt Rubber blends for improving roadway durability and reduction of traffic noise, Rubberized Trails for walking, jogging, and bicycling, and Safer Playgrounds employing rubber + polymer binders. Used tires are generated at the rate of roughly one tire per person per year, and too often end up in landfills as a potentially hazardous waste. Measuring the mechanical and chemical properties of ground tire rubber blended with asphaltic and polyoctenamer materials are a major thrust of this research.
July 21, 2008