Eddie McCumiskey

Advisor

Dr. Curtis Taylor

Project Description

Eddie's research involves the use of ultrasharp mechanical probe tools – such as atomic force microscope (AFM) and nanoindenter probes – to modify a material's surface in a way that allows for patterning (i.e., size, shape, and position) of nanostructures with atomic-level control. Some examples include nanoscribing and subsequent dewetting of a gold thin film on a silicon substrate to pattern nanoparticles and nanowires and creating nanoindentation arrays on gallium arsenide for patterned epitaxial growth of indium arsenide quantum dots. In his M.S. research, Eddie used a nanoindenter to characterize the mechanical properties of nanocomposite quantum dot–polymer thin films for use in solar cells and other organic electronics applications.

Education

• B.S., Virginia Commonwealth University, Mechanical Engineering, 2006
• M.S., Virginia Commonwealth University, Engineering, 2009

Awards

• 2009 Fellow, National Science Foundation East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes
• 2008 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant, Virginia Commonwealth University