Thomas Research Group carries out research on photonics, phononics, interference lithography and mechanical behavior of microtrusses, polymer physics and engineering of the mechanical and optical properties of block copolymers, liquid crystalline polymers, and hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites.

Photonics
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We focus on photonics and the fabrication of polymeric photonic crystals using self-assembly, especially with block copolymers, and holographic interference lithography. For these studies, large emphasis is placed on the understanding of complex relations between the lattice symmetry and optical properties of periodic structures.

 

 

Phononics
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Just as periodic variation in refractive index opens gaps in photonic band structure of a medium, periodic variation in density and sound velocities may create band-gaps for mechanical waves. His group is exploring the way light and sound propagate in quasicrystalline photonic and phononic structures. This opens the possibility to control properties and propagation of light and sound in dual band gap structures.

Polymers
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Thomas group’s structured materials research concentrates on enhancing our ability to fabricate complex structures with characteristic length in submicron and nanometer range in order to create materials with superior properties that can be tailored to a particular application. Understanding the influence of composition and processing conditions on the resultant  microstructure of polymers and how this determines the properties is the central part of his polymer morphology research.

Mechanics
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Understanding the mechanical behavior of materials under extreme condition of high rate change in nanoscale gives important insight in understanding the development of novel materials. With high applicability in protection including bullets for body armour, micrometeorites for satellites, and high-speed particle impact for jet engine turbine blades, research in microscopic ballistic test is one of the active project in Thomas group. Here, we introduce very unique device, LIPIT (Laser Induced Particle Impact Test), that allows high rate impact test in microscopic level.