My current research focusses on studying the deformation behavior of materials at micro/nanometer length scales using in-situ micromechanical testing inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). We use a focused ion beam (FIB) to mill micro-specimens, like micropillars for compression and micro-cantilevers for fracture tests, and study their mechanical properties over wide range of test conditions - cryogenic to ultra-high temperatures (-150 to 1000°C), strain rates (0.0001 to 10,000 /s), impact, fracture and fatigue - to understand the fundamental operative deformation mechanisms and to predict mechanical performance. Concurrently, we are also developing novel experimental techniques that enable performing time-dependent transient and high cycle fatigue tests at small length scales. My research group explores temperature and strain rate effects in materials ranging from metals, alloys, semiconductors and ceramics to thin films and coatings. 

- Small scale plasticity

- In-situ micromechanics of materials

- High temperature and high strain rate deformation behavior

- Transient time dependent plasticity (strain rate jump, stress relaxation and creep tests)

- High cycle fatigue behavior

- Deformation mechanisms

- Combinatorial materials science