Chang receives NSF CAREER award

Dr. Chih-Hao Chang, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at North Carolina State University, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for his research proposal, “Three-Dimensional Nanolithography with Inexpensive Hardware.”

The NSF CAREER award is one of the most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty members who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.

Chang’s research will focus on providing fundamental research into three-dimensional nanolithography that is based solely on colloid-light interactions instead of current expensive lithography, hence nanolithography with inexpensive hardware. The new process will focus on colloidal nanoparticles, which will serve as elementary building blocks that can manipulate and shape light for nanoscale patterning. This system will enable scalable printing of complex three-dimensional nanostructures for needleless drug delivery, multifunctional materials and stretchable sensors. The research has broad applications across biomedical, energy, electronic and aerospace industries that will benefit the U.S. economy and advance its manufacturing sector.

Chang will integrate research and education to greatly increase engineering education in society through direct engagement of K-12 students, teachers, parents and the local community in nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing as the educational portion of the grant.

Chang received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2002. He received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2006 and 2008, respectively. The five-year, $500,000 grant will begin June 1, 2016.