Hong Liang
Associate Professor
Office: 323 Engineering/Physics Building Office Wing
Phone: 979-862-2623 Fax: 979-845-3081
Email: hliang@tamu.edu
Research Web Page

Curriculum Vita

Interest Areas

Surface properties-behavior relations, (nano)tribology, tribochemistry, bio-nanointerface,biomaterials, nanomanufacturing, and CMP.

 

Education

Ph.D.   Materials Science & Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology 1992.

M.S.   Materials Science & Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology 1987.

B.S.   Materials Science & Engineering, Beijing University of Iron and Steel Technology 1983.

 

Background

Dr. Liang has extensive experience in academia, government laboratories, and industry. She has maintained a long-standing interests and activity in tribology, surface science, chemical mechanical planarization, and nanomanufacturing. In her research, she not only involves graduate students, but also include minority and undergraduate students. Those students who are interested in materials research, should talk with her.

 

Research

• In this research program, Dr. Liang’s group will develop innovative processes to generate nano-coatings. They further investigate mechanisms of tribochemical interactions on surfaces of metals and oxides. Fundamental investigation focuses on new phenomena and non-equilibrium surfaces, including surface forces and wear at atomic-to-centimeter scales, new surface bonds, non-equilibrium crystal structures, non-stoichiometric products, and kinetics of growth. Experimental approaches include using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a table-top tribometer to polish, manipulate, and test materials at different length scales. The primary methods of surface characterization include AFM, TEM, XPS, TOF SIMS, and other high-resolution spectroscopic techniques. Materials studied are strategically selected to reveal principles in effects of electronic, chemical, and crystal structures on friction and wear. This research is at the interface of several scientific and technological areas involving physical, chemical, mechanical, and tribological properties of advanced materials. The outcome of this research is in the development of novel nanostructured materials and nanofabrication processes.

 

• This research focuses on the development of nanofabrication process. This process generates nano-scale phases through simple mechanical manipulation in designed chemical environments. This research includes fundamental and practical aspects. Fundamentally, the structure-surface properties are impacted by effects of mechanical energy and heat treatment processes will be studied. Practically, the research will further expansion of the fledgling nanotechnology manufacturing industry. The simplicity and flexibility of the mechanical manipulation techniques is a significant advantage for synthesis and characterization of nano-structures. The potential applications fall in nanomachining, assembly, nanosensors, and development of MEMS and NEMS.

 

• Despite the success of surgical implants such as artificial hip and knee joints, the materials used in these procedures still do not satisfy the demands of a durable functioning joint. Current synthetic materials, such as stainless steel, titanium alloy, polymers, and ceramic composites, undergo degradation after 10 to 15 years of use. The common failures of joints are several. Wear and particulate debris are the most common ones. This research contains two components. The first component is to study the tribological performance of implant materials using tribological testing and surface characterization techniques. The second component is to synthesis new class of biomaterials combing live cells and conventional biocompatible materials. Beside cell culture experiments and materials testing, the interfaces between cells and materials will be investigated along with the functionality and performance.

 

Distinctions

• Invited Visiting Professor, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Sponsored by the French Education Ministry, 01 & 03.
• NSF CAREER Award 02.
• American Vacuum Society, CMPUG Poster Competition, 3rd Prize - A Study of the Friction, Stress and Strain Encountered During Brush Scrubbing for Post-CMP Cleaning Applications, 00.
• International Lectureship Award, ASM-HTS, 99.
• Award of Excellence, Cabot Corporation, 97.

 

Recent Publications - Invited Books, Book Chapters, and Review Papers

• H. Liang and D. Crave, Tribology in Chemical Mechanical Planarization, Marcel Dekker, in press.
• H.G. Xu, H. Liang, G. Totten, and J.J. Liu, “Engine Tribology and Surface Modification Technology, an Overview,” J. Inzynieria Powierzchni, Poland, in press.
• H. Liang, H.G. Xu, and G. Totten, “Mechanical and Corrosive Wear of Heat Treated Materials and Protection with Coating, An Overview,” J. Inzynieria Powierzchni, Poland, in press.
• H. Liang, “Chemical Boundary Lubrication in Chemical-Mechanical Planarization, An Overview,” Tribology Letters, in press.
• G. Totten and H. Liang, edi. Mechanical Tribology, Marcel Dekker, April, 2004.
• G. Totten and H. Liang, edi. Surface Engineering and Tribology, Marcel Dekker, May 2004.
• H. Liang, B. Shi, A. Fairchild, and T. Cale, “Applications of Plasma Coatings in Artificial Joints: An Overview,” Vacuum, in press.
• B. Shi and H. Liang, Ch. 12, Biotribology, Manual of Physical, Chemical, and Tribological Processes, Edi. G. Totten and H. Liang, Marcel Dekker, ASTM Int. W. Conshohocken, PA, in press.
• H. Liang, G. Totten, and G. Webster, Ch.35, Lubrication and Tribology Fundamentals, Manual on Fuels, Lubricants, and Standards: Application and Interpretation, Edi. G. Totten, R. Shah, and S. Wesbrook, Marcel Dekker, ASTM Int., W. Conshohocken, PA, 2003, pp.909-962.
• H. Liang and G. Totten, “Corrosive Wear in Hydraulic Systems, An Overview,” Hydraulic Failure Analysis: Fluids, Components, and System Effects, STP 1339, ASTM, Edited by G. Totten, 2001, pp.119-133.