A central focus of our research is understanding and harnessing the complex interactions between laser energy and materials across a wide range of timescales and environments. In the Laser & Energy Transport Laboratory, we investigate how different laser parameters—such as wavelength, pulse duration (from quasi-continuous to femtosecond), fluence, and repetition rate—affect material responses including melting, ablation, phase transitions, and micro/nanostructure formation. 

At the Laser & Energy Transport Laboratory, we are pioneering new methods to accelerate the discovery and development of advanced materials tailored for extreme environments, energy applications, and functional surfaces. Traditional materials discovery can take years of trial-and-error experimentation. Our lab overcomes this bottleneck by integrating high-throughput laser processing, real-time diagnostics, and active machine learning into a closed-loop materials innovation framework. 

Our lab is deeply engaged in advancing energy harvesting technologies that convert ambient energy—such as heat, light, or vibrations—into usable electrical power. We focus particularly on thermal-to-electric energy conversion using laser-engineered surfaces and radiative heat transfer control to enhance performance in extreme environments. A key application area is thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems, where thermal emitters radiate tailored infrared energy toward photovoltaic cells for electricity generation. 

The Laser & Energy Transport Laboratory explores the use of laser-based technologies for advanced biomedical applications, leveraging our expertise in precision energy delivery, thermal control, and laser–material interactions. Our work aims to enable minimally invasive, highly targeted, and efficient approaches for both diagnostics and therapeutic interventions.