Wendy L. Mao
Assistant Professor of Geological and Environmental Sciences and of Photon ScienceAssistant Professor of Geophysics, by Courtesy
Research areas:
Condensed Matter, Energy Sciences, Materials Science, Nano Sci/Eng, Photonics, Synchrotron Radiation, Ultrafast Science
Description
Condensed Matter Physics
Our group is studying the behavior of materials at extreme conditions (i.e. high pressure, variable temperature, high radiation fluxes) with application to condensed matter physics and chemistry. In particular we are looking at strongly correlated systems as well as materials for hydrogen storage and advanced batteries. We are also interested in developing new characterization techniques at extreme conditions.
Lasers and Accelerators
We are interested in using ultrafast laser and x-ray techniques to study dynamics in systems at extreme conditions.
Nanoscience and Quantum Engineering
Our group is looking at the effect of pressure on nanostructured materials in particular Li battery compounds.
Selected Publications
- Hydrogen clusters in clathrate hydrate
- Bonding changes in compressed superhard graphite
- Hydrogen storage in molecular compounds
- X-ray-induced dissociation of H2O and formation of an O2-H2 alloy at high pressure
- Storage of molecular hydrogen in an ammonia borane compound at high pressure
- High pressure chemistry in the H2-SiH4 system
- Nanoprobe measurements of materials at megabar pressures
- Distortions and stabilization of simple primitive calcium at high pressure and low temperature
- Size-dependent amorphization of nanoscale Y2O3 at high pressure
- High pressure evolution of Fe2O3 electronic structure revealed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Benjamin Lev
David A. Reis
Daniel S. Fisher
Ian R. Fisher
Harold Y. Hwang
Aharon Kapitulnik