Professor

Director, Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization (NUANCE) Center

Btech, metallurgy, 1984 Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
PhD, materials science and engineering, 1990 Lehigh University

Contact Info

Dravid Group Homepage

 

Nanoscale Phenomena in Solids: from fundamentals to devices

     There is no doubt that properties and performance of materials are dictated by complex atomic- and nanoscale features and phenomena. Our research is geared towards not only their understanding but manipulation as well. Such phenomena include nanostructured materials- especially inorganic/organic hybrids, and various defects in materials.

     On one front, we are investigating the synthesis, patterning and characterization of 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.

     The philosophy of our approach is based on sound fundamental foundation of complex phenomena, liberal use of advanced instrumentation and techniques and quest for proof-of-concepts for devices as well.

Associations and Awards

• Fellow, American Ceramic Society Fellow (2004)
• Richard M. Fulrath Award (2008)
• 6th McBain Memorial Award, NCL, India (2007)
• First McCormick Faculty Excellence Award (2006)
• Editor, Microscopy & Microanalysis, MSA Flagship Journal
• Editorial boards, Journal of Microscopy, Journal of Materials Research
• Teacher of the Year (2001-2)
• NIH Sabbatical Faculty Fellow (2001-2)
• ASM-IIM Visiting Faculty Fellow (2001)
• Distinguished Alumni Service Award, IIT Bombay, India (2001)
• Kurt Heinrich Award, Microbeam Analysis Society, 1998
• R. L. Coble Award for Young Scholars, American Ceramic Society (ACerS), 1998
• Burton Medal, Microscopy Society of America (MSA), 1996
• IBM Faculty Development Award, 1995
• Exxon Foundation Fellowship, 1995
• NSF Young Investigator Award, 1993–98
  

Selected Publications

Su, M., S.Y. Li, et al. (2003). "Microcantilever resonance-based DNA detection with nanoparticle probes." Applied Physics Letters, 82 (20): 3562-3564.

Su, M., V.P. Dravid (2002). "Colored ink dip-pen nanolithography." Applied Physics Letters, 80 (23): 4434-4436, cited in Nature Materials as "newsworthy" research.

Brewer, L.N., V.P. Dravid, et al. (2002). "Solid solution directionally solidified eutectic oxide composites: Part II. Co1-xNixsingle-crystal growth and characterization." Journal of Materials Research 17(4): 768-773.

Johnson, K. D., and V. P. Dravid (2000). "Static and dynamic electron holography of electrically active grain boundaries in SrTiO3." Interface Science 8(2-3): 189-198.