Materials for Energy, Mineral Resources and the Environment

Roberta L. Flemming
BGS 0172
519 661-2111 ext 83143
Research home page: http://www.uwo.ca/earth/people/faculty/flemming.html
Planetary Materials 

Dr. Roberta Flemming is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, and Director of the Powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD) and micro X-ray diffraction (μXRD) Facility (since 2001). She specializes in Earth and planetary mineralogy, studying mineral structure and cation ordering, and as functions of pressure, temperature and composition. She also measures/calibrates strain and strain-related mosaicity in minerals which have undergone tectonic deformation or have been shocked by meteorite impact. She studies minerals from the Earth’s mantle and a variety of meteorites (e.g. chondrites, achondrites, martians), as well as synthetic analogues. Minerals of interest include spinel-group minerals, olivine, clinopyroxene, kimberlite indicator minerals (e.g. garnet), and diamond. She collaborates to study natural glasses, clay minerals and natural zeolites. 

Yining Huang
ChB 17
519 661-2111 ext 86384
Research Home page: http://publish.uwo.ca/~yhuang/index.htm
Characterization of metal-organic frameworks used for capture and storage of CO₂; zeolite and related materials used in petroleum industry 

Zeolites and related molecule sieves are widely used in industry in ion-exchange, gas separation and catalysis. Dr, Huang’s research is centered on (1) the host-guest interaction in zeolitic systems and (2) the crystallization of nanoporous materials under hydrothermal, dry gel conversion and ionothermal conditions. Metal-organic frameworks are a new type of porous materials and they have shown tremendous potentials for gas storage and capture. His recent work is focused on characterization of these new materials by solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Robert J. Klassen
Spencer Engineering Building, Rm 3075
519 661-2111 x88323
Research home page: http://www.eng.uwo.ca/people/rklassen/ 
Effect of ion and neutron irradiation on the mechanical properties of materials, length-scale dependence of the plasticity of metals. 

Prof. Klassen's research is directed to studying the mechanisms of time-dependent plastic deformation that operate in small volumes of pure metals and alloys.  These studies are performed with either nano-indentation or micro-pillar compression testing and focus on establishing relationships between the underlying deformation mechanisms and microstructural features.

Robert Linnen
B&GS 100B
519 661-2111 ext 89207
Research home page www.uwo.ca/earth/people/faculty/linnen.html

Metals in Magmatic-Hydrothermal Systems: Research by Prof. Linnen involves experimental and field-based studies on the behavior of metals in high temperature-pressure silicate melts and aqueous fluids. Field-based studies establish the parameters that control metal enrichment in mineral deposits. Parallel to this experimental work includes determining the solubilities and stabilities of metals and minerals in silicate melts and the partitioning of metals between, silicate melts, aqueous fluids and minerals.

N. Stewart McIntyre
ChB 25
519 642-2230
Methods for improved analysis of the micro-structure of materials; Laue diffraction, XRD, elastic and plastic deformation, XPS, material surfaces

Dr. McIntyre's research is concentrated on the improvement of microscopic X ray diffraction techniques to understand microscopic deformation processes in metals and ceramics; this includes the role of dislocations and grain boundaries in focusing such forces. As well, he is exploring methods for imaging and mapping of polyphases in the above materials. Improvement of such techniques requires much faster high performance computing processes and more efficient means for transfer of massive blocks of experimental data. Dr. McIntyre also has a continuing interest in the interpretation of photoelectron spectra for use in understanding the surface chemistry of transition metals  and their oxides.

Desmond Moser
B&GS 1070
519 661-2111 ext 84214
Research home page www.uwo.ca/earth/people/faculty/moser.html
Micro- to nano-scale deformation and chemical structure of materials, Geochronology of planetary and resource evolution, EBSD, CL, STEM, EDS and WDS. 

Prof. Moser directs the Zircon and Accessory Phase Laboratory (ZAPLab) which is an electron nanobeam facility (www.zaplab.uwo.ca) for determining the deformation and chemical structure of materials down to nanoscale. Moser’s group is expert in the application of Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), Cathodoluminescence (CL) and X-ray spectroscopy (EDS/WDS) techniques to micro minerals used for isotopic dating of earth, solar system and resource-forming events. Collaborative work is resulting in equal success in analysis of ores, environmental and manufactured bio/materials. 

Sohrab Rohani
TEB 457
519-661-4116 (on campus ext 84116)
Research home page http://www.eng.uwo.ca/people/srohani/
CO₂ adsorption, Cold temperature CO oxidation, Magnetic nano-aggregates for drug delivery, ZIF loaded TiO₂ nanotube arrays for water detoxification

Among the current research projects conducted by Dr. Rohani’s group are the use of magnetic nano-aggregates for controlled drug delivery, synthesis and modification of TiO₂ nanoparticles and highly ordered nanotube arrays for water splitting, solar cells and air/water detoxification.  In addition, a series of metal organic zeolitic-like framework nano-materials (MOF) are being synthesized for CO₂, NO_x and SO_x adsorption, cold temperature oxidation, and hydrogen storage for fuel cells. 

Oleg Semenikhin
ChB067
519 661-2111 ext 82858
Research home page http://www.uwo.ca/chem/people/faculty/semenikhin_oleg.htm
Organic solar cells, organic conjugated polymers, organic semiconductors; organic nanostructured materials; energy storage materials

Dr. Semenikhin’s research is focused at development of new materials and approaches for energy conversion and storage. Particular areas of interests are organic solar cells, organic semiconductors, nanoscale modification of materials, materials for electrochemical energy storage.

Sean R Shieh
B&GS 1066
519 661-2111 ext 82467
Research home page http://www.uwo.ca/earth/people/faculty/shieh.html
synthesis of novel material using diamond-anvil cell and laser-heating method; stress and elasticity study on strong and superhard materials; high pressure and high temperature behavior of materials (fluid, ceramics, and metals)

Prof. Shieh is an expert on the characterization and investigation of materials under extreme conditions of pressures and temperatures using micro-Raman, infrared, synchrotron x-ray diffraction and synchrotron x-ray spectroscopy.  The sample size can be ranging from nanometer to micron and in the form of liquid or solid.  Carbon and hydrogen based materials are particularly interested.

David Shoesmith
ChB 18
SSW, 999 Collip Circle, Western Research Park
519 661-2111 ext. 86366 and 86154
Research home page http://sun.chem.uwo.ca
Electrochemistry of materials; corrosion science and engineering; development and application of surface analytical techniques

Research in the Shoesmith laboratory is focussed on the electrochemistry and corrosion science of metal and ceramic oxide systems with a primary emphasis on industrial and environmental applications. Experimentally, the primary goal is to understand the mechanisms and determine the kinetics of a range of reactions involved in surface processes. Based on these fundamental studies, computational models are then developed to describe the behaviour of complex material systems in specific industrial/environmental environments. Presently, these methodologies are being applied in the following areas: (i) the development of nuclear waste containers and the degradation of nuclear waste forms; (ii) the evolution of corrosion conditions on gas transmission pipelines; (iii) the application of light metals in automobile manufacturing; (iv) the performance of in-reactor nuclear materials.      

Andy X. Sun
Spenser Engineering Building
519 661-2111 ext 87759
Research home page: http://www.eng.uwo.ca/people/asun/default.htm
Nanomaterials, fuel cells, Li ion batteries, Li-Air batteries 

Dr. Sun’s research is focused on nanomaterials for clean energy. The scope of Sun’s research ranges from fundamental science, to applied nanotechnology, to emerging engineering issues - with a unifying theme centered upon development and application of novel nanomaterials for energy systems and devices. Specifically, his research activities are currently concentrated on developing various approaches to synthesize low-dimensional nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, semiconducting and metal nanowires, nanoparticles, thin films and their composites as well as exploring their applications as electrochemical electrodes for energy conversion and storage including fuel cells, Li-ion batteries and Li-Air batteries. 

J. Clara Wren
ChB 016
519 661-2111 ext 86339
Research home page http://jcwren.chem.uwo.ca/
corrosion of nuclear reactor materials, radiation-induced metal oxide nanoparticles and oxide films

Gamma-irradiation creates unique reactive environments that can alter the electric potential field at interfaces and thereby influence mass and charge transfer across phase boundaries. Prof. Wren’s research uses a judicious combination of gamma-irradiation and aqueous conditions to achieve tailored formation of (1) uniform-sized transition metal oxide nanoparticles, (2) very uniform and compact oxide films, and (3) micelles in IL/water systems. Prof. Wren’s research involves both experiments and modelling in these areas to develop a fundamental understanding of interfacial processes.

Materials Facilities Information Session

November 13, 2012 Distinguished Lecturer and Research Day

Congratulations to our 2012 AMBI Undergraduate Research Award Recipients!

Arian Gholami (working with Prof. W. Wan and Prof. A. Fenster)

Ashley Ching (working with Prof. J. Zhang and Prof. J. de Bruyn)

Adam Elmehriki (working with Prof. R. Hudson and Prof. R. Bartha)

Susanna George (working with Prof. Z. Ding and Prof. J. Yang)

Michael Bramble (working with Prof. R. Flemming and Prof. J. Hutter) 

June 23, 2011 Distinguished Lecturer and Research Day