Research summary
Over the past three decades, we have seen a revolution in nanotechnology. Nanometer materials can be designed with unique properties that help us build faster computers, better cars, smarter sensors and more. Dr. Guo-Zhen Zhu, Canada Research Chair in Mechanical and Functional Design of Nanostructured Materials seeks to better understand and design atomic and electronic structures consisting of nanoscale “imperfections” embedded within crystalline materials, such as functional oxides and lightweight alloys.
She and her research team are also investigating the formation dynamics and the performance characteristics of nanoscale features. Ultimately, the knowledge they acquire will be used to develop new methods of discovering, predicting and designing advanced materials with better mechanical, electrical or catalytic performance. These could have applications in the aerospace, automotive and energy industries.