PROMOTING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN INDIA AND THE U.S.
Engineering, Materials Science
Northwestern University
The properties and performance of materials – whether physical or biological or hybrid – are dictated by complex atomic and nanoscale architecture and associated phenomena. Our research is geared towards not only their understanding but manipulation and tailring to yield favorable response and behavior. Such materials include nanostructures, especially inorganic/organic hybrids, and phenomena oftenr revolve around various defects and their dynamic behavior. Thus, the core theme in Dravid group is the paradigm for “Form-Function” and “Structure-Property” relationship in diverse materials.
On one front, we are investigating the patterning and characterization of complex multicomponent 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.