Visiting Scholars
Babak Eslami
Babak received his PhD from our group in the summer of 2016. During his studies, he worked on developing and optimizing multifrequency AFM techniques for surface characterization of soft matter. He continues to work on this topic, focusing specifically on the development of more accurate and reliable methods for quantitatively measuring the viscoelastic properties of polymers. He is also interested in nano-manufacturing methods based on scanning probe microscopy.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Enrique A. López-Guerra
Enrique obtained his B.S. degree from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and his M.S. degree from Kyung Hee University in Korea. During his M.S. studies he conducted experimental work with carbon-supported nanocatalysts for heterogeneous reactions. He then completed his PhD at The George Washington University in the spring of 2018, where his work focused on computational simulations of the mechanical response of nanoprobe-stimulated viscoelastic surfaces, and on the application of a variety of contact models to extract material properties from experimental data, primarily in the context of single- and multifrequency AFM experiments. Enrique is currently a postdoctoral researcher sharing his time between Prof. Danmeng Shuai's group and our group. His areas of investigation include soft matter viscoelasticity (bacteria, biofilm and polymers), single-impact AFM spectroscopy analyzed in the frequency-time domain via wavelet transforms, and the development of inversion methodologies for viscoelastic behaviors involving multiple relaxation times.
Enrique obtained his B.S. degree from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and his M.S. degree from Kyung Hee University in Korea. During his M.S. studies he conducted experimental work with carbon-supported nanocatalysts for heterogeneous reactions. He then completed his PhD at The George Washington University in the spring of 2018, where his work focused on computational simulations of the mechanical response of nanoprobe-stimulated viscoelastic surfaces, and on the application of a variety of contact models to extract material properties from experimental data, primarily in the context of single- and multifrequency AFM experiments. Enrique is currently a postdoctoral researcher sharing his time between Prof. Danmeng Shuai's group and our group. His areas of investigation include soft matter viscoelasticity (bacteria, biofilm and polymers), single-impact AFM spectroscopy analyzed in the frequency-time domain via wavelet transforms, and the development of inversion methodologies for viscoelastic behaviors involving multiple relaxation times.
Ph.D. Students
Jungjoon Ahn
Jungjoon received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in electronic materials engineering from the Kwangwoon University in Korea. During his M.S. studies he investigated AFM-based material surface modifications, such as local anodic oxidation (LAO) and AFM probe-induced mechanical scratching, and studied the relationship between the crystalline plane orientations of silicon carbides and oxide growth using AFM-LAO. Since 2011 he has been performing his research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), as a visiting researcher. He joined our group in the fall of 2015. His Ph.D. studies focus on the modification of material surfaces using AFM probe-assisted deterministic doping and novel characterization methods using scanning microwave microscopy.
Jungjoon received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in electronic materials engineering from the Kwangwoon University in Korea. During his M.S. studies he investigated AFM-based material surface modifications, such as local anodic oxidation (LAO) and AFM probe-induced mechanical scratching, and studied the relationship between the crystalline plane orientations of silicon carbides and oxide growth using AFM-LAO. Since 2011 he has been performing his research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), as a visiting researcher. He joined our group in the fall of 2015. His Ph.D. studies focus on the modification of material surfaces using AFM probe-assisted deterministic doping and novel characterization methods using scanning microwave microscopy.
Cameron Parvini
Cameron received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace Focus from The George Washington University. During those degrees, his research emphasis was in the field of electric propulsion, specifically Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPTs) and micro-thrusters. Since August 2015 he has been a Pathways Intern with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, working on specialized fiber optic assemblies for numerous missions with the Code 562 Photonics Group. After joining our group in the late Fall of 2016, his Ph.D. studies have focused on characterizing geometric changes in fiber optic assemblies due to thermal cycling, and on mitigating their effects on signal attenuation.
Cameron received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace Focus from The George Washington University. During those degrees, his research emphasis was in the field of electric propulsion, specifically Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPTs) and micro-thrusters. Since August 2015 he has been a Pathways Intern with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, working on specialized fiber optic assemblies for numerous missions with the Code 562 Photonics Group. After joining our group in the late Fall of 2016, his Ph.D. studies have focused on characterizing geometric changes in fiber optic assemblies due to thermal cycling, and on mitigating their effects on signal attenuation.
Berkin Uluutku
Berkin received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Bilkent University in Turkey. During his M.S. studies he focused on modeling NC-AFM experiments using molecular dynamics and the harmonic oscillator model, and also worked on investigating graphene covered with self-assembled monolayer structures via STM. He will be joining our group in August of 2017 and will be performing research on the electromechanical properties of organic photovoltaic systems studied through AFM and STM.
Berkin Uluutku
Berkin received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Bilkent University in Turkey. During his M.S. studies he focused on modeling NC-AFM experiments using molecular dynamics and the harmonic oscillator model, and also worked on investigating graphene covered with self-assembled monolayer structures via STM. He will be joining our group in August of 2017 and will be performing research on the electromechanical properties of organic photovoltaic systems studied through AFM and STM.
M.S. Students
Abid Saadi
Saadi received his B.S. degree in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 2016, and joined our group in May of 2017. During his B.S. degree he studied the effect of multi-scale reinforcement particle size (micro to nano, using particle size reduction methods) on the behavior of polymer matrix composites, with particular focus on mechanical and thermal properties. His current work focuses on high-stress studies of multifunctional composites and organic photovoltaic systems, using single- and multi-frequency AFM methods, with particular interest in nanoelectromechanical properties.