McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University

Peter W. Voorhees

Frank C. Engelhart Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

Education

Ph.D. Materials Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

B.S. Physics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Research Interests

We are involved in research that employs theory, simulation, and experiment in areas from nanotechnology and energy to four-dimensional microscopy.

We are developing descriptions of semiconductor nanowire growth using both phase field simulations and theory. Our effort on solid oxide fuel cell materials is focused on the formation of nanocatalysts on the solid-vapor surfaces, the effects of stress on the defect structure and composition of the oxides, and the three-dimensional structure of the voids and phases in anodes and cathodes.

We are examining the dynamics of grain growth in materials using phase field simulations and time-dependent x-ray tomography. 

We have performed experiments on the coarsening of solid-liquid mixtures on the International Space Station. The analysis of the samples is continuing. 

Finally, we are using both simulation and experiment to examine the evolution of morphologically complex two-phase mixtures.

Significant Recognition

• Fellow, The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 2013
• J. Willard Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award, ASM International, 2013
• Fellow, American Physical Society, Material Physics Division, 2005
• Highly Cited Researcher, Institute for Scientific Information, 2002
• Fellow, ASM International, 2001
• Materials Science and Engineering Teacher of the Year, 1999
• Outstanding Referee, Acta Materialia, 1998
• ASM International Materials Science Division Research Award (Silver Medal), 1992
• McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science Award for Teaching Excellence, 1992
• Acta Metallurgica et Materialia Outstanding Paper Award, 1991
• Materials Science and Engineering Teacher of the Year, 1989, 1990
• National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award, 1989

Significant Professional Service

• Frank C. Engelhart Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, 2000
• National Science Foundation Creativity Extension, 1999

Selected Publications

• Voorhees, P. W.; Wu, K. A., “Phase field crystal simulations of nanocrystalline grain growth in two dimensions”, Acta Materialia, (2012)
• Voorhees, P.; Rowenhorst, D., “Measurement of Interfacial Evolution in Three Dimensions”, Annual Review of Materials Research, (2012)
• Voorhees, P. W.; Davis, S. H.; Schwalbach, E. J.; Warren, J. A.; Wheeler, D., “Stability and topological transformations of liquid droplets on vapor-liquid-solid nanowires”, Journal of Applied Physics, (2012)
• Hemesath, E. R.; Lauhon, L. J.; Schreiber, D. K.; Gulsoy, E. B.; Kisielowski, C., “Catalyst incorporation at defects during nanowire growth”, Nano Letters, (2012)
• Park, T. E.; Lee, K. Y.; Kim, I.; Chang, J.; Voorhees, P., “Combinatorial growth of Si nanoribbons”, Nanoscale research letters, (2011)
• Voorhees, P. W; Barnett, S. A; Shah, M.; Call, A.; Hughes, G., “Nano-Particle Coarsening Effects in LSCF-Infiltrated Cathodes”, , (2011)
• Voorhees, P. W; Barnett, S. A; Shah, M.; Hughes, G., “Stability and Performance of LSCF-Infiltrated SOFC Cathodes: Effect of Nano-Particle Coarsening”, , (2011)
• L. K. Aagesen;A. E. Johnson;J. L. Fife;P. W. Voorhees;M. J. Miksis;S. O. Poulsen;E. M. Lauridsen;F. Marone;M. Stampanoni, “Pinch-off of rods by bulk diffusion”, Acta Materialia, (2011)