"What I enjoy most about my research at Hopkins is the way I get to meld theory and application. I work in a lab where we study the fundamentals behind the fabrication and formation of porous metals. Our reason for studying the fundamentals, however, is to design exciting new materials and test them in real devices. One example is designing a low-cost and efficient catalyst for fuel cells in order to help them make it to the market and cut one of the largest contributions to global warming. Here in this picture we were testing a porous platinum catalyst for the oxidation reaction in such a fuel cell."

Ian McCue (BSE 2010) received his undergraduate degree in Materials Science and Engineering at JHU and is now a Ph.D. student engaged in research in the lab of Prof. Erlebacher. He is currently researching porosity evolution in nanoparticles as well as fabricating a new porous metal for capacitor applications. When not in the lab he is training and competing in fencing tournaments!