Atlantic Nano Forum

speakers

Dr. Brian Holloway specializes in the synthesis of new materials and characterization of thin films, surfaces and interfaces. Due to the rapid pace of technological innovation, many companies and industries have a need for application-specific materials or devices that do not currently exist. Dr. Holloway and his group use theoretical calculations and computational methods to predict the existence and properties of potentially useful new materials, experimentally verify the chemical, electrical, and mechanical properties of these materials, and work with industrial partners to implement the new material into relevant manufacturing processes. Projects that we are currently working on include the creation of
nanocomposite thin films using nanotubes and vapor-deposited polymers; maximizing the production efficiency in pulsed laser vaporization synthesis of nanotubes; understanding the fundamental chemical bonding in amorphous carbon nitride thin films; and creating more robust giant magneto-resistant devices.

Professor Holloway received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Materials Science and Engineering. His Ph.D. thesis work explored the relationship between the mechanical properties and chemical bonding in amorphous carbon nitride thin films using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, aka ESCA), near
edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS, aka XANES), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nanoindention. He also received his Masters from Stanford and graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S., both in Mechanical Engineering.
Upon graduation, Professor Holloway was awarded the 1997-1998 MRS/OSA Congressional Fellowship to serve as Senator John D. Rockefeller's science policy advisor.

After the fellowship he continued in Senator Rockefeller's office as the legislative assistant for science policy, environment, and agriculture. This experience has lead to an active interest in science policy; especially the role of academicians in the state and federal policy decision making process.