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Volker Blum

Rooney Family Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Overview


Volker Blum heads the "Ab initio materials simulations" group at Duke University. Dr. Blum's research focuses on first-principles computational materials science: using the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics to predict the properties of real materials from the atomic scale on upwards.

Specific focus areas are interface and nanoscale systems with electronic and energy applications, as well as work on molecular structure and spectroscopy. He is actively working on novel semiconductor materials, including hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites and complex chalcogenide materials. Both groups of materials hold promise as absorbers for photovoltaics (i.e., solar cells), as materials for spin-based electronics and optoelectronics, and other semiconductor applications.

Dr. Blum is the coordinator of a major computer package for computational materials and molecular science based on electronic structure theory, FHI-aims. Work in his group is interdisciplinary (touching areas of physics and chemistry in addition to materials science), with opportunities for international collaboration and exchange.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Rooney Family Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science · 2023 - Present Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering
Associate Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science · 2017 - Present Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering
Associate Professor of Chemistry · 2022 - Present Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

Education, Training & Certifications


Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany) · 2001 Ph.D.