Materials Science Division

Nanoscale, Surface, and Interface Science Group

We design, develop, and characterize nanoscale architectures for a wide array of applications ranging from water purification to energy storage and quantum devices.

While working at the intersection of physics, materials science, engineering, and chemistry, our group makes advances in nanoscience—the synthesis, characterization, and manipulation of structures, objects, and features at the scale of atoms and molecules.

Using some of the most advanced imaging and analytical instruments and fabrication tools and processes available, we study:

  • How atoms and molecules assemble at the nanoscale.
  • How material structure affects its properties, including electrical, mechanical, and thermal behavior.
  • The significance of surface boundary and quantum mechanical effects and how they may confer properties on materials.

Our findings help us develop diverse and sophisticated materials in support of the Laboratory’s national security mission and foundational science research.

In the news

Research areas

Direct-ink-write 3D printing of a carbon fiber composite material

Applied polymer science

Focusing on a diverse range of applied research—with a unified theme of polymer science

Water in a carbon nanotube.

Nanofluidics and precision separations

Delivering cutting-edge science to address fundamental research problems relevant to national security

The circulator device made from quantum anomalous Hall materials, which is smaller than a US dime.

Quantum materials and devices

Addressing research challenges in quantum science and technology through fundamental advances in physics, materials, engineering design, and prototype development

A custom coating system

Thin film science and technology

Advancing thin film materials through integrated physical vapor deposition, plasma diagnostics, and advanced characterization

Our team

Leadership

Bagge-Hansen, Michael
Michael Bagge-Hansen
Research Scientist
Kucheyev, Sergei O.
Sergei Kucheyev
Deputy Group Leader, Nanoscale Integration Science
Lewicki, James
James Lewicki
Associate Deputy Division Leader, Operations

Group members

Bayu Aji, Leonardus Bimo
Leonardus Bimo Bayu Aji
Staff Scientist
Biener, Juergen
Juergen Biener
Braun, Tom
Tom Braun
Chung, Julia
Julia Chung
Engwall, Alison
Alison Engwall
Staff Scientist
Fears, Tyler
Tyler Fears
Staff Scientist
Forien, Jean-Baptiste
Jean-Baptiste Forien
Staff Scientist
Hensley, Jon Brian
Jon Hensley
Li, Yuhao
Yuhao Li
Noy, Alex
Alex Noy
Staff Scientist
Orme, Chris
Chris Orme
Scientific Researcher
Qu, Dongxia
Dongxia Qu
Staff Scientist
Shin, Swanee
Swanee Shin
Staff Scientist
Steelman, Michael Eugene
Michael Steelman
Taylor, Gregory Vincent
Gregory Taylor
Xu, Xiaojie
Xiaojie Xu
Staff Scientist