Principal Investigator:
Katsuyo Thornton, L.H. and F.E. Van Vlack Professor
Ph.D., Astronomy and Astrophysics, The University of Chicago, 1997
M.Sc., Astronomy and Astrophysics, The University of Chicago, 1993
B.Sc. with Honors, Physics, Iowa State University, 1991
2022 H. H. Dow Building
Email: kthorn@umich.edu
Tel: (734) 615-1498
Research Investigator:
David Montiel
Ph.D., Physics, McGill University, 2004-2010
2050 H.H Dow Building
Email: dmontiel@umich.edu
My research focuses on the development and application of Phase Field and Phase Field Crystal models
to study phenomena such as the diffusion and stability of individual vacancies, precipitation near grain
boundaries and synthesis of two-dimensional materials.
Graduate Students:
Jason Luce
B.Sc., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, 2008-2013
M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, 2013-2015
Ph.D. Student, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, 2015-Present
2072 H.H. Dow Building
Email: jpluce@umich.edu
I am using/developing a computational model to examine how the grain boundary structure in HCP materials changes over
long (i.e. diffusive) time scales. HCP materials such as Magnesium (Mg) and Titanium (Ti) are of particular interest in the field
of lightweight materials design. My research aims to gain a better understanding of how the grain boundary structure of these
materials and their alloys changes under typical thermo-mechanical processing conditions. Improved insight into this behavior
is expected to be of great use in Mg and Ti materials design.
Guanglong Huang
B.S.E., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, 2013-2017
B.S.E., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, United States, 2015-2017
M.S.E., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, United States, 2017-2018
Ph.D. Candidate, Materials Science and Engineering and Scientific Computing, University of Michigan, 2017-Present
2029 H.H. Dow Building
Email: umjihgl@umich.edu
My research focuses on the modeling of experimental observations. For example, I worked with David and developed a phase-field crystal model to describe a flat and buckled layer of periodically arranged atoms. I am currently working on phase-field modeling of ionic diffusion in solid-state metathesis reactions and COMSOL thermal modeling of a heated sample. In addition, I am developing a statistical algorithm to automatically determine optimal physical parameters for thermal models to match and explain experimental findings.
Sicen Du
B.E., Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 2011-2015
M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, Columbia University, 2015-2017
Ph.D. Candidate, Materials Science and Engineering and Scientific Computing, University of Michigan, 2017-Present
2050 H.H. Dow Building
Email: sicendu@umich.edu
My current research focuses on image segmentation and reconstruction of 3D microstructure by machine learning techniques.
Vishwas Goel B.Tech and M.Tech, Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, 2016 2029 H.H. Dow Building Email: vishwasg@umich.edu
I work on the continuum level physics-based modeling of electrochemical systems such as batteries and fuel cells. Through my simulations, I optimize the design of these devices for desired properties like energy density, power density, etc. In my free time, I like to cook, run, play badminton, and read. Drop by to discuss anything about batteries, modeling, food, and being a grad student.
Master Students:
Mojue Zhang
B.E., Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, 2015-2019
M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, 2019-Present.
2029 H.H. Dow Building
Email: mojuez@umich.edu
I am learning how to simulate the directional eutectic solidification process under different templates.
Yanjun Lyu
B.E., Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, 2014-2018
M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, 2019-Present.
2050 H.H. Dow Building
Email: yanjunlv@umich.edu
My current research focuses on phase field simulation of Mg alloy corrosion.
Undergraduate Student:
Praveen Soundararajan
Former Group Members:
| Current position | Location | |
| Michael Tong | ||
| Beck Andrews | Postdoctoral Researcher | Universität Freiburg |
| Saeed Kazemiabnavi | Battery Modeling Engineer | Ford Motor Company |
| S M Golam Mortuza | Electrified Propulsion System Simulation Engineer | FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles |
| Martina Trini | Researcher | Fondazione Bruno Kessler – FBK |
| Min-Ju Choe | Systems Engineer | Northrop Grumman |
| Erik Hanson | Research Engineer | Sakti3 |
| Max Powers | Ph.D. Candidate | University of Michigan |
| Alex Chadwick | Postdoctoral Fellow | Northwestern University |
| Doaa Taha | CFD Application Development Engineer | General Motors |
| Mujan Seif | Ph.D. Candidate | University of Kentucky |
| Luis Sagastume | Lighting Engineer | FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles |
| Hui-Chia Yu | Assistant Professor | Michigan State University |
| Hsun-Yi Chen | Assistant Professor | National Taiwan University |
| Nirand Pisutha-Arnond | Associate Professor | King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology |
| Chloe Funkhouser | Principle Engineer | Baxter Healthcare |
| Nick Patterson | Engineer | Raytheon |
| Bernardo Orvananos | Management Consultant | Boston Consulting Group |
| Victor W. L. Chan | Postdoc | RPI |
| Stephen DeWitt | Research Investigator | PRISMS Center, University of Michigan |
| Andrea Jokisaari | Postdoc | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Chal Park | LIFT (Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow) | |
| Tapiwa Mushove | Engineer | Intel |
| Emma Humphrey | Ph.D. Candidate | Carnegie Mellon University |
| Hui-Chen Chen |