Dr. John Balk Materials Engineering

Welcome to the Balk research group web site

John Balk, PhD, PE
Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
University of Kentucky
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
177 F. Paul Anderson Tower
Lexington, KY 40506-0046

Tel: (859) 257-4582
Fax: (859) 323-1929
Email: balk@engr.uky.edu

Our group works on a variety of research projects addressing the processing, structure and properties of nanostructured metals and alloys. Current focus areas include:
• structure, deformation mechanisms and mechanical behavior of nanoporous noble metals
• in situ transmission electron microscopy
• thin film plasticity
• anelasticity in nanocrystalline metals
• noble metal coatings for dispenser cathodes
• microstructure and mechanical behavior of cryo-machined alloys
• integrating iron and steel metallurgy into MSE curriculum at UK

Brief Biography

Visiting Scientist (2000 to 2002) and Staff Scientist (2002 to 2004)
Max-Planck-Institut für Metallforschung, Stuttgart, Germany
PhD (2000) and MS (1997)
Materials Science and Engineering
The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
BS (1995)
Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
University of California, Berkeley, CA

News Headlines

Fall 2011: Julius Schoop joined our research group

Spring 2011: John appointed as Director of Undergraduate Studies (MSE) and EM Center Director

April 2010: John received the good news that he was granted tenure

Spring 2009: John received teaching awards at the college, departmental and university levels:
Outstanding Materials Engineering Teacher Award at UK (MSE Program)
Henry Mason Lutes Award for Undergraduate Engineering Education (College of Engineering)
Provost’s Award for Outstanding Teaching at UK