Professor, Born 1951
B.S. 1973, California Institute of Technology
Ph.D. 1977, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1. "Improved Adhesion between NiTi SMA Wire and a Polymer Matrix via Silane
Coupling Agents," N.A. Smith, G.G. Antoun, A.B. Ellis, and W.C. Crone,
Composites A, 35, 1307 (2004).
2. "Synthesis of Dual Phase Bronze Alloys from Elemental Nanoparticle
Constituents," N.A. Smith, N. Sekido, J.H. Perepezko, A.B. Ellis, and W.C.
Crone, Scripta Mater., 51, 423 (2004).
3. "AgBF4-Impregnated Poly(vinyl phenyl ketone): An Ethylene Sensing Film," O.
Green, N.A. Smith, A.B. Ellis, and J.N. Burstyn, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 126,
5952 (2004).
4. "Template Synthesis and Magnetic Manipulation of Nickel Nanowires," A.K.
Bentley, M. Farhoud, A.B. Ellis, G.C. Lisensky, A-M.L. Nickel, and W.C.
Crone, J. Chem. Ed., in press.
Our research program focuses on nanoscale materials and devices. In collaboration with colleagues in the College of Engineering, we are investigating the preparation and characterization of nanoscale shape memory alloys. Bulk samples of these materials undergo solid-state phase changes that allow them to be mechanically deformed, yet recover their original shape when heated through the phase transition temperature. They can thus be used as switches and actuators. Production of nanoscale versions of these alloys is being pursued through chemical and electrochemical synthetic routes. Characterization methods include X-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy, electron microscopy, and surface analytical methods.
We are actively involved in the creation of nanotechnology instructional materials through the UW-Madison Materials Research Science and Engineering Center on Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces, http://www.mrsec.wisc.edu/edetc.
Ellis is on detail through June, 2006 at the National Science Foundation, where he is serving as Director of the Division of Chemistry.
