Research Focus

The Processing and Physical Metallurgy (PPM) Lab, led by Dr. Ming Chen, focuses on advanced manufacturing and in situ characterization of materials designed for extreme environments. The first focus is to fabricate metals and ceramics with novel compositions and engineered microstructures that achieve superior mechanical and functional performance. The second focus is to utilize in situ techniques to characterize materials properties under processing and service conditions to inform and optimize manufacturing strategies. The overarching goal is to develop advanced materials and architected structures that enable sustainable solutions in various applications, including energy, aerospace, and defense.