Professor Voorhees research group is focused on the kinetics of phase transformations using experiment, simulation, and theory.  These phase transformations range from the growth of nanowires from the vapor and graphene, to the solidification of alloys.  They measure the evolution of interfacial morphology during phase transformations using techniques such as time resolved three-dimensional X-ray tomography and automated serial sectioning.  Recent studies on simulations of phase transformations include work on a method to follow the atomic structure of a material on diffusional time scales and the growth of oxides on metal surfaces.  They also combine the experiments with simulations by using the measured three-dimensional interfacial morphologies as initial conditions in simulations and then comparing the results of the simulations and experiment at some later time.  Through their involvement in Northwestern’s Center for Hierarchical Materials Design, they use these models to design materials with novel properties, such as Si-based insitu composite materials.