Under the broad heading of Metallic Processing and Characterization of Materials, Dr. Young's research group focuses on the development, processing, and characterization of structural alloys, specifically:
- shape memory alloys (e.g. NiTi-, Cu-, Fe-based, etc…)
- strain glass alloys
- refractory and reactive metal alloys (e.g. Ti-, Zr-, Hf-, Nb-, Ta-based, etc…)
- lightweight alloys (e.g. Al-, Mg-, Ti-, Zn-based, etc…)
- amorphous metal alloys
- high entropy alloys (HEAs) and complex concentrated alloys (CCAs)
Often times, using these structural alloys as a base, his research group also focuses on the development, processing, and characterization of
- porous metallic materials
- metal composites
In terms of characterization techniques, Dr. Young’s research group is especially focused on characterizing materials using neutron, synchrotron and laboratory X-ray scattering in combination with thermomechanical testing.
In addition to characterization of structural metallic materials, Dr. Young’s research group is focused on development and characterization of battery materials (Pb-acid and Zn-ion-based, etc...) for automotive and energy storage applications.
Another branch of Dr. Young’s research group is focused on examining modern and ancient art historical objects by using a multitude of advanced techniques such as optical microscopy, SEM, TEM, neutron diffraction, synchrotron X-ray diffraction and imaging, DSC, FIB, nanoindentation, and 3D atom probe. Most of these cultural heritage objects are of historical significance so it is important to pay special attention to testing nondestructively and non-invasively.
Some organizations which have worked or are currently working with Dr. Young's research group:
- Companies: ATI, The Boeing Company, Bell Helicopter, Collins Aerospace, East Penn Manufacturing Company, Ecobat, Emerson Corporation, Halliburton, L'Garde, Nelson Forensics, Queen City Forging Company, Raytheon, RSR Technologies, STI
- Museums: Dallas Museum of Art, Art Institute of Chicago, Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Agencies & Foundations: Air Force Research Laboratories, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Argonne National Laboratories, Army Research Laboratories, Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI), Consortium for the Advancement of Shape Memory Alloy Research and Technology (CASMART), DAAD, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DoE), Forging Industry Association’s Forging Industry Educational & Research Foundation, NASA, National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, Partners of the Americas.