Programs

The research themes focus on two broad areas:

  • Advanced Materials and Structures
  • Materials for Societal Development

Advanced Materials and Structures

In the area of Advanced Materials and Structures, the objective is to engage African and U.S. scientists in research and education activities that can advance the frontiers of nanoscience and biomaterials science. Ongoing activities in nanoscience include: studies of the mechanical and electrical properties of nanoscale thin films, MEMS contacts (adhesion and stiction phenomena) and novel low-cost methods for the fabrication of organic electronics.

In the area of biomaterials science, ongoing efforts include studies of multi-scale cell/surface interactions, and integrated efforts to develop BioMEMS and conjugated nanoparticles for disease detection and treatment. So far BioMEMS and conjugated nanoparticles have been developed for the detection and treatment of cancer. However, initial efforts are being made to extend these to other diseases such as FIV/HIV.

Materials for Societal Development

The research on materials for societal development is exploring new ways of using knowledge from materials science to develop affordable and holistic approaches to basic human needs such as housing, potable water and energy for cooking. New ways are also being explored to add value to African raw materials such as clays and aluminosilicates that are used extensively as refractory ceramics. These include the use of fracture mechanics-based crack-tip shielding in the design of bricks that are more resistant to cracking due to thermal shock.

In the area of affordable housing, ongoing efforts are exploring the use of industrial and agricultural wastes in the reinforcement of cementitious and earth-based matrices. Composite materials concepts are being used to guide the design of fracture-resistant bricks for affordable housing. Similarly, composite concepts are being used to guide the design of passive solar concepts for the cooling of buildings during the day, and the heating of buildings at night. These rely on heat diffusion into walls with well controlled thermal properties. Finally, fractal concepts and basic ideas in crystallography are being used to guide the design of holistic urban and rural landscapes.

In the area of thermostructural materials, the science behind solar reflectors and solar boxes is being explored for solar cooking. Porous earth-based filters and ultra violet (UV) methods are also being explored for water purification. Finally, the program is exploring the use of crack-tip shielding concepts in the design of refractory ceramic bricks that are more resistant to cracking due to thermal shock. Ongoing efforts include the use of viscoelastic crack bridging and ligament bridging in the toughening of aluminosilicates, clays, kaolin and kyanite-based refractories.