Facilities

AM2L Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Lab
Visit: https://am2l.com/

Researches how modifying process parameters affects the microstructure and properties of 3D printed materials. Additionally, they design and build new 3D printing systems, develop processing parameters for different materials, and perform multiscale modeling of 3D printing processes.

Lead Researchers: Mohsen Eshraghi, Ph.D.
Lab Location: AM2L

BNMI Bio-Nano Materials and Interface Lab

Research activities primarily concentrate on the areas of: i) Bio-/Nano-Materials and Mechanics; ii) Multifunctional and Energy Materials and Devices, and iii) Nanotechnology Research, with emphasis on bio-inspired design, structure-function relationships, surface/interfacial interactions, transport phenomena, and structural hierarchy. Seeking organisms and biological systems as ‘elegant’ models to solve intricate engineering problems in an energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable manner. He is focused on addressing the emergent phenomena and properties across multiple length and temporal scales. This new paradigm of bio-inspired research is aimed at the elucidation of some of the basic principles and mechanisms in nature, including animals, insects, and plants, in order to create next-generation smart materials and complex superstructures that are responsive to external stimuli, e.g., switchable dry/wet adhesives; active self-cleaning, anti-fouling, anti-bacterial surfaces; hierarchical/hybrid fibrils with self-healing and wear-prevention capabilities, water harvesting coatings and thin films. These functional materials and structures are highly desirable in renewable energy, biomedical, environmental, and defense applications.

Lead Researcher: Travis Shihao Hu, Ph.D.
Lab location: E&T C 153B

MCL Materials Characterization Lab
Visit: https://www.calstatela.edu/ecst/mcl

Our objective at the Materials Characterization Laboratory (MCL) is to provide state-of-the-art facilities and services that facilitate the education of students for the twenty-first-century workforce and promote diversity in science and engineering. MCL is situated within the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology (ECST), where we offer a comprehensive range of services related to materials characterization, testing, and processing. Our advanced research facilities include equipment for optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, mechanical testing, and sample preparation. We take pride in actively engaging students in our activities to serve the community and the public good. Our facilities are accessible for use by our students and faculty, as well as researchers from other institutions and industries.

Lead Researchers: Mohsen Eshraghi, Ph.D., John "Chris" Bachman, Ph.D., P.E., Travis Hu, Ph.D.
Lab Location: ET C-164A

LAFuM Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials
Visit: https://www.calstatela.edu/research/yliu

Our lab is interested in the design and study of advanced functional materials for renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and biomedicine. The types of materials being studied include metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent-organic frameworks, and hybrid materials. Our lab is actively developing novel materials for hydrogen storage, carbon capture, catalysis, solar energy harvesting and conversion, water purification, and drug/gene delivery. In addition, we are interested in studying the structure-property relationship and practical applications of these materials by collaborating with computational scientists, national laboratories, and industry. We believe that understanding materials at the molecular level will guide us in designing and developing a new generation of advanced functional materials with enhanced performance for sustainability and human health.

Lead Researcher: Yangyang Liu, Ph.D.
Lab Location: RH 247

PRL Photochemistry Research Lab

Our research is centered around the chemistry of singlet oxygen (¹O₂), the lowest excited state of the dioxygen molecule. We have been exploring reactions of singlet oxygen with heteroatoms such as phosphorus and sulfur. We are especially interested in mechanistic pathways of such oxidation reactions. Kinetic measurements, trapping experiments, and low-temperature observation of reactive intermediates are performed to understand what type of peroxidic intermediates are formed. It is important to understand the nature of such reactive intermediates because they are often better oxidants than dioxygen (in its triplet or singlet state) itself.

Lead Researcher: Matthias Selke, Ph.D.
Lab location: RH 248