Our current research focus is in these sub-areas where mechanics and physics at small length and temporal scales play important roles:

1) Mechanical reliability of nanoporous materials as low-dielectric coatings for semiconductor industry and as wear-and-corrosion-resistant coatings for aircraft structures and components;

2) Thin film adhesion measurement and ultra-high-strain-rate materials behavior study using laser-induced stress waves;

3) Nanomaterials synthesis and size-dependent plastic behavior of surface nano and microstructures;

4) Mechanics of cells and biomaterials, and ultrasonic and laser-based chemical and biological sensing;

5) MEMS-based nanotechnology for imaging and biomedical applications;

6) Fabrication and characterization of metal-intermetallic nanolaminate composites and metal-ceramic multilayer composites.