{"id":5,"date":"2025-10-15T16:59:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T20:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1408.mse.ncsu.edu\/brenner\/home\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T10:19:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T14:19:01","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mse.ncsu.edu\/brenner\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to the Brenner Research Lab"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
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The Brenner Research Lab, under the direction of Donald Brenner, Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, advances the field of computational materials science through the development and application of atomistic modeling and simulation. By designing new theoretical approaches and computational tools, we investigate the fundamental properties of materials at the atomic scale. Our work spans metals, ceramics, polymers, and nanomaterials to predict behavior, guide experiments, and enable innovations in energy, electronics, and structural materials.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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Holladay Medal Awardee<\/h2>\n

\n The university’s highest honor\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

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Research focus<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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Atomistic Modeling and Simulation<\/h3>\n \n\n \n\t \t

Developing and applying molecular dynamics and quantum-based methods to study materials at the atomic scale.<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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Materials for Energy and Electronics<\/h3>\n \n\n \n\t \t

Exploring metals, ceramics, polymers, and nanomaterials to enable advances in energy conversion, electronic devices, and structural applications.<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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Computational Method Development<\/h3>\n \n\n \n\t \t

Designing new theoretical approaches and computational tools, including the widely used Brenner Potential, to predict material behavior and guide experimental research.<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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Donald Brenner, Principal Investigator<\/h2>\n

Professor Donald Brenner, Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Department Head, received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed postdoctoral work at the Naval Research Laboratory before joining the faculty at North Carolina State University. He is internationally recognized for his development of the Brenner Potential, a widely-used method for modeling carbon and other materials at the atomic scale. His research focuses on computational materials science, molecular dynamics, and the design of new simulation methods to predict and guide materials innovations.<\/p>\n \n

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Research Focus: Computational Materials Science and Atomistic Modeling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our areas of expertise include:<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n