Microcharacterization

atomic microscope image of material
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When assessing the microstructure of a material to characterize its performance, lifetime reliability or production quality, every atom counts. That’s why Case Western Reserve’s suite of industry-leading tools sets us apart. We specialize in the ability to look at materials with the highest possible spatial resolution. Our offerings include electron, atomic-force, scanning-tunnel, transmission-electron and 3-D microscopy—some of which cannot be found at any other university—all boasting atomic-resolution imaging capabilities. We combine data from these tools with our expertise in interpreting results and deep subject-matter knowledge to develop and enhance materials systems.


We’re also expert at developing new methods of analysis to solve unique needs, such as fixing processes in manufacturing to avoid microscopic defects, and enhancing the performance of ceramic fuel cells for longer lifetime performance. And we’re advancing the leading edge of imaging analysis and machine learning to gather even more insights with each microcharacterization study.

Institutes, centers and labs related to Microcharacterization

Mesoscale Science Lab

Creates experimental techniques to develop a physical understanding of processing-structure-property relationships of crystalline and amorphous materials

Frank Ernst Research Group

Researches alloy surface engineering, plated metallization, metal-oxide interfaces and materials for fuel cells, photovoltaics, and nanotechnology

Faculty who conduct research in Microcharacterization

Hoda Amani Hamedani

Research Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Develops multifunctional materials and flexible nanostructured platforms for electrochemical and biomedical devices, localized drug delivery, neural interfacing, and electrochemical sensing; studies nanomaterials evolution/interactions in controlled (liquid) environments using in-situ characterization techniques

Jennifer Carter

Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
deformation mechanisms of metals and metal-matrix composites; fatigue, fracture, and creep; failure analysis; electron microscopy; 3D microscopy; novel methodologies for multi-scale material characterization; data science and analytics; open science

Mark De Guire

Associate Professor Emeritus, Materials Science and Engineering
Analyzes performance of ceramics in energy applications, including fuel cells and oxygen transport membranes

Frank Ernst

Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Studies and engineers microstructures, interfaces and surfaces of metallic materials by novel methods of processing and microcharacterization

Peter Lagerlof

Associate Professor Emeritus, Materials Science and Engineering
Develops a unified theory for plastic deformation via slip and deformation twinning