Ph.D. opportunities in ME @ CU-Boulder

I am currently accepting applications for two Ph.D. students starting in Spring or Fall 2012. The students will join my research group (http://www.colorado.edu/MCEN/people/faculty/xiao.html ) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder. 

One research direction is Stretchable/Flexible Electronics, with combined theoretical and experimental efforts. Stretchable/Flexible Electronics combines the electronic performance of conventional wafer-based semiconductor devices and mechanical properties of a rubber band, and thus can have very broad applications that are impossible for hard, planar integrated circuits that exist today. Examples range from surgical and diagnostic implements that integrate with the human body to provide advanced therapeutic capabilities, to soft robotics, structural health monitors and inspection systems. 

Another one is mechanics of nanomaterials, to study the adhesion and deformation of nanotubes and graphenes on silicon and quartz substrates, for their applications in advanced nanoelectronics and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). This project will utilize both analytical and numerical methods to reveal the fundamental mechanics and physics in nanoscale systems. 

Prospective students should have strong background in Engineering Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related disciplines. Students with a master degree are especially encouraged to apply. 

If you are interested, please contact: Jianliang.Xiao@colorado.edu, with your CV and a copy of transcript. The application deadline for Fall 2012 is Nov 11. For possibilities of starting in Spring 2012, please contact me directly. More details of the application procedure can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/MCEN/programs/graduate/prospective/index.html .