Personal Quote: 

“Computers are doubling in speed every 18 months and computer software is rapidly improving. As a result, computer modeling of materials is becoming an increasingly more effective, and even vital, tool for industry.”

Research Interests:

Our group does computer modeling of materials, including semiconductor processing (metallization, oxidation, CVD, etc.), automotive catalytic converters, and adhesion/adhesive wear. We use a broad range of computer modeling tools, including both commercial software and our own state of the art codes. Students in the group work on model development, applications, or both. We emphasize close collaborations with industry (Motorola, Ford, ALCOA), and students often spend summers working at those companies on their research projects.

Research Facilities:

We have a broad array of workstations and PC’s and we are one of the top 50 users of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.

Distinctions/Awards: 

Professor Adams received an NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award from President George Bush. He also received the national ASM Bradley-Stoughton Award for Young Teachers, given to one materials professor each year.

Favorite Past Project: 

We did an extensive study of amorphous Si thin films (used for solar cells), and we determined how H is distributed through the structure, how it clusters, and how it diffuses.

What do I look for in prospective students?

Students in our group have a wide variety of materials, chemistry, and physics backgrounds.  All of these are needed to model materials. Some students start with minimal computer experience, but all become computer “wizards” by the time they graduate. I am very committed to helping my students mature into excellent researchers and to help them lead successful careers after they graduate. I expect my students to work hard but to also have a lot of fun.