Professor

BS, physics and mathematics, 1971
MPhil, physics, 1973 University of Hong Kong

PhD, physics, 1977 University of California, Berkeley

Contact Info

Research Homepage

Surface science and tribology, hard coatings and thin films

Our research is in the area of surface science, tribology, design and characterization of hard coatings and thin films.  We are interested in understanding how surface interactions affect friction and wear, especially in different temperature and environmental conditions.  Our work in hard coatings focuses on the synthesis, characterization and applications of hard coatings in computer disk drives, dry machining, ultralow friction and various high-temperature tribological applications.  We are also designing thin films and materials with excellent infrared reflection properties, for use in automotive and aviation applications.

Associations and Awards

• Fellow, Society of Tribologists and Lubrication  Engineers
• Fellow, American Vacuum Society
• Fellow, ASM International
• Visiting Fellow, Japan Society for Promotion of  Science
• Innovative Research Award, ASME Tribology Division  2002
• National Storage Industry Consortium Technical  Achievement Award (1999)
• Ralph A. Teetor Engineering Educator Award (1991)
• ASME Tribology Division Best Paper Award (1990)
• Faculty Honor Roll (1990)
• Teacher of the Year in MSE (1986, 1991)
• Advisory Professor, Fudan University, China
• American Vacuum Society Board of Directors, 1/98  - 12/99
• Editorial Board, Tribology Letters
• AVS Prairie Chapter Executive Committee
• AVS Advanced Surface Engineering Division

Selected Publications

(with D. J. Li, M. U. Guruz and C. S. Bhatia), “Ultrathin  CNx overcoats for 1 Tb/in2 hard disk systems”, Applied Physics Letters 81,  1113-1115 (2002)

(with Dejun Li, Yanfeng Chen and F. Lazaro Freire,  Jr.), “Metrology of 1-10 nm thick CNx films:  thickness, density and surface roughness measurements”, JVST A21,  L19-21 (2003)

(with Kitty W. Lee, Yu-Hsia Chen and Leon M. Keer), “Hardness,  internal stress, and thermal stability of TiB2/TiC  multilayer coatings synthesized by magnetron sputtering with and without substrate rotation”, Surface  and Coatings Technology 177/178, 591-596 (2004)

(with Kitty W. Lee, Chad Korach and Leon M. Keer), “Tribological and dry machining evaluation of superhard TiB2/TiC multilayer coatings deposited on Si(001), M2 steel, and C3 WC cutting tool inserts using magnetron sputtering”, Surface and Coatings Technology 194, 184-189 (2005)

(with Yanfeng Cheng and Shu-You Li), “Boron carbide and boron carbonitride thin films as protective coatings in ultra-high density hard disk drives”, Surface and Coatings Technology 200, 4072-4077 (2006)

(with Christina Freyman and Yanfeng Chen), “Synthesis of carbon films with ultralow friction in dry and humid Air”, Surface and Coatings Technology 201, 164-167 (2006)

(with Christina Freyman, Bo Zhao and Yanfeng Chen), “Water adsorption and desorption on ultra-low friction sulfur-doped hydrogenated carbon films”, Journal of Physics Condensed Matter 18, S1721-1726 (2006)