Group Members

 
 

Current Group Members

Principal Investigator

Prof. Robert W. Carpick (carpick@seas.upenn.edu), John Henry Towne Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania

Researcher Staff Scientists

Dr. J. Brandon McClimon (mcclimon@seas.upenn.edu), Manager of Research Projects, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2018-present.

Postdoctoral Researchers

Dr. Cangyu Qu, Postdoctoral Associate, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2021-present.

Dr. Shuai Zhang, Postdoctoral Researcher, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2024-present

Doctoral Students

  1. Mr. Parker LaMascus (lamascus@seas.upenn.edu), PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2019-present.
  2. Mr. Li Yuan (yuanl20@seas.upenn.edu), PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2020-present.
  3. Mr. Pezhman Palahang (palahang@seas.upenn.edu), PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2023-present
  4. Mr. William Oprisu (woprisu@sas.upenn.edu), PhD Student, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 2022-present
  5. Mr. Mateus da Silva Cardoso (mateusc@seas.upenn.edu), PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2024-present
  6. Mr. Sumit Kumar (sumitsk@seas.upenn.edu), PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2024-present.

Master’s Students

  1. Ms. Marina Penna (mapenn@seas.upenn.edu), Master’s Student, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2023-present

Undergraduate Researchers

  1. Ms. Haley Morgenstern, Undergraduate Researcher, Mechanical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2022 – present.
  2. Mr. Jacob Goell, Undergraduate Researcher, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2023-present.

Group Alumni

PhD Graduates

  1. Dr. Matthew J. Brukman, PhD, Engineering Mechanics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000-2005 (now a Central Facilities Manager, University of Pennsylvania, Singh Center for Nanotechnology).
    Thesis: Atomic Force Microscopy and the Investigation of Atomic Scale Friction
  2. Dr. Erin E. Flater, PhD, Engineering Mechanics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2001-2006 (now an Associate Professor, Physics Deptartment, Luther College, Iowa).
    Thesis: Toward Prediction of MEMS Performance: A Multiscale Approach to Understanding Friction
  3. Dr. Rachel J. Cannara, PhD, Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2001-2006 (now a Lead Scientist, Invention Science Funds, Intellectual Ventures).
    Thesis: The Atomic-Scale Origins of Friction: A Nanotribological Study of Diamond Surfaces
  4. Dr. Hsao Wei Yap, PhD, Physics, U. Pennsylvania, 2004-2007 (now a Commodities Risk Analyst, Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore).
    Thesis: Mechanical Instabilities of Carbon Nanotubes
  5. Dr. David S. Grierson, PhD, Engineering Mechanics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2002-2008 (now President, CTO, and co-founder, systeMECH LLC).
    Thesis: Nanotribological Properties of Nanostructured Hard Carbon Thin Films
  6. Dr. Patrick J. Heaney, PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005-2009 (now founder and CEO of NCD Technologies, LLC, Wisconsin, Madison). Co-advised with Prof. F. Pfefferkorn.
    Thesis: Improving Nanocrystalline Diamond Coatings for Micro End Mills
  7. Dr. Vivekananda P. Adiga, PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2007-2010 (now a Research Engineer at IBM T J Watson Research Center).
    Thesis: Mechanical Stiffness and Dissipation in Ultrananocrystalline Diamond Films
  8. Dr. Andrew R. Konicek, PhD, Physics & Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, 2008-2010 (now a Senior Researcher, ExxonMobil).
    Thesis: Tribochemical Studies of Hard Carbon Films as a Function of Load and Environment
  9. Dr. Jingjing Liu, PhD, Materials Science Program, University Wisconsin-Madison, 2007-2011 (now a Process Engineer, Applied Materials). Co-advised with K. T. Turner, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
    Thesis: Characterizing and Understanding Nanoscale Wear of Carbon-Based Atomic Force Microscope Tips.
  10. Dr. Christopher Torres, PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison, 2006-2011 (now a Process Engineer, Intel). Co-advised with F. Pfefferkorn, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
    Thesis: Optimization and Analysis of Nanocrystalline Diamond Coated Micro End Mills
  11. Dr. Vahid Vahdat, PhD, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2008-2013 (now a Scientist and Principal Investigator, Atharva).
    Thesis: Mechanics of Interactions and Atomic-Scale Wear of Tips in Amplitude Modulation Atomic Force Microscopy Probes
  12. Dr. Graham E. Wabiszewski, PhD, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2007-2013 (now a Senior Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania).
    Thesis: Interrogation of Single Asperity Electrical Contacts using Atomic Force Microscopy with Application to NEMS Logic Switches
  13. Dr. Tevis D.B. Jacobs, PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2008-2013 (now an Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh).
    Thesis: Imaging and Understanding Atomic-Scale Adhesion and Wear: Quantitative Investigations Using In Situ TEM
  14. Dr. Xin-Zhou Liu, PhD, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Univeristy of Pennsylvania, 2009-2015 (now a Product Engineer, Lam Research).
    Thesis: Mechanisms Controlling Friction and Adhesion at the Atomic Length-Scale
  15. Dr. Daniel Magagnosc, PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2011-2016 (now at the Army Research Lab, Aberdeen, MD).
    Thesis: Elucidating the Mechanical Response of Metallic Glasses Prepared in Different Structural States at Sub-micron Length Scales. Co-advised with D. Gianola, U. Pennsylvania
  16. Dr. Frank Streller, PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2011-2016 (now a Research Scientist at Agilent Technologies).
    Thesis: Development and Characterization of Next-Generation Contact Materials for Nanoelectromechanical Switches
  17. Dr. Kaiwen (Kevin) Tian, PhD, Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, 2012-2017 (now a Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Physics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.).
    Thesis: Rate and state friction laws for interfacial chemical bond-induced friction at the nanoscale
  18. Dr. Joel Lefever, PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2012-2018 (now a Visiting Assistant Professor, Union College).
    Thesis: Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Investigation of Plastic Deformation Mechanisms in Disordered Nanoparticle Packings
  19. Dr. J. Brandon McClimon (mcclimon@seas.upenn.edu), PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2013-2018 (now a Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania).
    Thesis: Tribological Response of Silicon Oxide-Containing Hydrogenated Amorphous Carbon, Probed Across Lengthscales
  20. Dr. James Hilbert, PhD Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2011-2018.
    Thesis: Understanding and Improving the Environmental Dependent Tribology and Thermal Stability of Hydrogenated Amorphous Carbon by Using Silicon and Oxygen as Dopants
  21. Dr. Zachary Milne, PhD, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Unviersity of Pennsylvania, 2013-2018 (now a Senior Member of Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratory).
    Thesis: The Role of Sliding Contact in Nanoscale Tribochemistry
  22. Dr. Kathryn Hasz, PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2014-2020 (now a Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Colorado at Boulder).
    Thesis: An Experimental Study of Atomic Scale Friction and Adhesion for 2D and Layered Materials: The Effects of Interfacial Contact, Compliance, and Commensurability
  23. Dr. Lu Fang (lufanglu@seas.upenn.edu), PhD Candidate, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2017-2022 (now a Senior Lubrication Engineer at Tesla).

Master’s Degree Graduates

  1. Mr. Ryan R. O’Keefe, MSc, Materials Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000-2002 (now a Manufacture and Design Engineer at Ace Precision, Oconomowoc, WI).
    Thesis: The Synthesis and Design of Al2O3-ZnAl2O4 Nanocomposites
  2. Ms. Shuang Zhao, MSc, Materials Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000-2002 (now a Researcher at Gentel BioSurfaces, Madison,  WI).
    Thesis: Nano- to Micro-Scale Topographic Control of Polymer Surfaces via Wrinkling
  3. Mr. Patrick Griffin, MSc, Materials Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2002-2004 (now a Process Engineer, Heraeus Inc., Chandler,  AZ).
    Thesis: Confinement Effects in Pore Growth for Nanoscale Anodized Alumina on Silicon
  4. Mr. Guoqing Ning, MSc, Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2004-2006 (now a Process Engineer at Intel Corp., Santa Clara, CA).
  5. Mr. Sean D. O’Connor, MSc, Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005-2008 (now a Research Chemist, Sherwin Williams, Cleveland, OH).
  6. Mr. Christopher Torres, MSc, Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2006-2008 (now a Process Engineer, Intel).
    Thesis: Analysis of the Cutting Force Improvement Produced by Nanocrystalline Diamond Coatings
  7. Mr. Sina Ghassemi, MSc, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2010 (now a Senior Associate, Credit Risk Advisory at KPMG).
  8. Charles Stovall, MSc, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2015-2017.
  9. Mr. Han Ye, MSc, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2015-2019.
  10. Mr. Zekun Li, MSE Student, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2021- 2022.
  11. Mr. Romulo Martins, MSc, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania. 2021-2023.
  12. Mr. Sumit Kumar (sumitsk@seas.upenn.edu), MSc, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2022-2024.
  13. Mr. Nwachukwu Ibekwe, MSc, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2022-2024

Postdoctoral Advisees

  1. Dr. Michael Eglin, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2003-2005 (now a Research Scientist at Blaser Swisslube, Hasle-Rüegsau, Switzerland).
  2. Dr. In-Ha Sung, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2004-2006 (now an Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Hannam University, Korea).
  3. Dr. Nicklaus A. Smith, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005-2006 (now a Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory).
  4. Dr. Papot Jaroenapibal, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania, 2007-2008 (now an Assistant Professor, Khon Kaen University, Thailand).
  5. Dr. Matthew A. Hamilton, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania, 2007-2008 (now Director of Engineering at Exactech, Gainesville, Florida).
  6. Dr. Christian Greiner, Humboldt Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania, 2009-2010 (now a Group Leader, Materials Tribology Group, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology).
  7. Dr. Qunyang Li, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania, 2008-2012 (now an Assistant Professor, Dept. of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aerospace, Tsinghua University, China).
  8. Dr. Jason Bares, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania, 2009-2012 (now a Staff Engineer, Borg Warner, MI).
  9. Dr. Philip Egberts, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania, 2011-2013 (now an Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada).
  10. Dr. Filippo Mangolini, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania, 2011-2014 (now an Assistant Professor, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin).
  11. Dr. Tevis D.B. Jacobs, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania, 2013-2014 (now an Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh).
  12. Dr. Prathima Nalam, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania, 2012-2015 (now an Assistant Professor, Department of Materials Design and Innovation, University of Buffalo).
  13. Dr. Imène Lahouij, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania, Postdoctoral Associate 2014-2016 (now an Associate Research Professor, Ecole des mines de Paris, France).
  14. Dr. Rodrigo Bernal, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania, Postdoctoral Associate, 2014-2016 (now an Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas).
  15. Dr. Meagan Elinski, Penn Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania, 2018-2020 (now an Assistant Professor, Hope College).
  16. Dr. Timothy Murdoch, Postdoctoral Associate, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2018-2020.
  17. Dr. Alex Bennett, Penn Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2017-2020 (now a Senior Engineer at Illumina).
  18. Dr. Takaaki Sato (takaakis@iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp), Postdoctoral Associate, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2018-2021.
  19. Dr. Alejandro Boscoboinik, Postdoctoral Associate, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2020-2021.
  20. Dr. Mehmet G. Sensoy, Postdoctoral Associate, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2020-2022.
  21. Dr. Pranjal Nautiyal, Postdoctoral Associate, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2020-2023.
  22. Dr. Danny Sánchez, ASEE eFellow & Penn Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 2021-2023.

Visitors and Interns

  1. Gerard Oncins Marco (visiting PhD student, 2004) – University of Barcelona.
  2. Xin-Zhou Liu, (2009) – Physics Deptartment, Leiden University (Master’s thesis research performed at U. Penn).
  3. Mr. Baolei Zhang, Visiting Student, 2009-2011.
  4. Jie Li (visiting masters student 2011) – Materials Science and Engineering, U. Penn. (part time).
  5. Wen Yue (Visiting Associate Professor, 2013-2014). Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Surface Engineering Institute, School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China.
  6. Judith Harrison, (Visiting Professor, 2014-2015). Professor, Chemistry Dept., U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD. Co-hosted with Prof. Kevin Turner.
  7. Prof. David L. Burris (dlburris@udel.edu). Visiting Associate Professor (Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, U. Delaware), 2016.
  8. Prof. Brandon Krick (bakrick@lehigh.edu). Visiting Assistant Professor (Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lehigh U.), 2016
  9. Matthieu Dalstein (visiting masters student, 2016) – Ecole Centrale de Lyon.
  10. Mr. Cangyu Qu (visiting Ph.D. student, 2018) – Tsinghua University.
  11. Mr. Rohan Sanghvi (masters project intern, 2019-2020), Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania.

Staff Members

  1. Dr. Hongquan Jiang, Project Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Materials Science and Engineering, 2005 (now a Research Associate, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington).
  2. Dr. Shuang Li, Project Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Engineering Physics, 2006 (now a Process Development Engineer, nLight, Vancouver, WA).
  3. Dr. Anirudha V. Sumant, Assistant Scientist, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2003-2006; Postdoctoral Associate, 2002-2003 (now a Materials Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory).
  4. Dr. Nitya Nand Gosvami, Research Project Manager, University of Pennsylvania, 2012-2016 (now an Assistant Professor, IIT Delhi, India).
  5. Dr. Harman Khare, Research Project Manager (University of Pennsylvania, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics), 2014-2018 (now an Assistant Professor, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA).

Undergraduate Researchers

Over 70 undergraduate research students previously advised.

  1. Mr. Christian Pohlmann (pohlmann@sas.upenn.edu) Undergraduate Researcher (U. Pennsylvania, Vagelos Scholars Program MLS, Physics), 2019-2020.
  2. Mr. Kueyoung Kim, CMCC NSF REU researcher, Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, 2022
  3. Mr. Bruce Xu, Undergraduate Researcher, Physics, University of Pennsylvania, 2022
  4. Mr. Daniel Delghandi, Undergraduate Researcher, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania.
  5. Mr. Michael Moriarty, Undergraduate Researcher, Physics & Astronomy and Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2021-present.
  6. Ms. Anna Leventhal, Undergraduate Researcher, Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 2022 – present.
  7. Adriana Chapa, Undergraduate Researcher, Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2022-present.
  8. Mr. Ben Alexander, NNCI NSF REU Researcher, Physics, Haverford College, 2023-present.