Laboratory for Multiscale Characterization and Materials Design
The Masic Lab @MIT investigates the nanochemomechanics of mineralization and biomineralization processes of materials ranging from construction materials to archeological and biological materials. At the core of the lab’s expertise are in situ and operando spectroscopy techniques that permit resolving in time and space hydration, fracture, self-healing and carbonation processes by observing nanoscale structural changes induced by loading and chemical reactions in highly heterogeneous environments. With applications that span from Roman concretes to modern Portland cement concrete, from nacre to kidney stones, from ancient colors to Dead Sea scrolls, the ultimate goal of Masic’s lab is to translate the fundamental knowledge gained in the lab into engineering design tools for a sustainable development of materials for construction, energy, and the environment.
