Kovar Homepage

Visiting Scientist, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, March 1994-February 1995

Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, March 1995 - July 1997

Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, September 1997 - August 2003

Visiting Professor, Ecole Centrale de Lille/Institut d'Electronic et de MicroElectronic du Nord (IEMN), Lille, France, June 2000-July 2000

Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, September 2003 - August 2011

Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, September 2011 - present

Teaching Excellence Award, Student Engineering Council, University of Texas at Austin, 2000.

Engineering Foundation Young Faculty Excellence Award, College of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2000.

William J. Murray Jr. Fellowship in Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2004.

Processing and microstructure/property relations of materials. Specific areas of interest include:

National Science Foundation, CBET 0708770, "NIRT: Functionalization of Alloy Nanoparticles for Enhanced Transport and Catalysis in Membranes" (September 1, 2007-August 31, 2011), $1,111,443 (P.I. Benny Freeman, Co-PIs Michael F. Becker, John W. Keto, and Graeme Henkelman)

Sandia National Laboratory, "Direct Writing of Silver Conductors and Seals," (February 1, 2010-September 1, 2010), $32,342 (P.I. D. Kovar, Co-PI Paulo J. Ferreira).

National Science Foundation, DMR 1006894, “Direct Measurements of Fundamental Sintering Parameters in Nanoparticles,” (July 15, 2010 - June 30 2012), $450,000 (P.I. D. Kovar, Co-PI Paulo J. Ferreira).

J. Ma, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, "Compositional and Microstructural Evolution During Annealing of Terfenol-D Nanoparticulate Films, J. Mater. Res., 26 [20] 2672-2681 (2011). Abstract

S. Rajasekhara, B. Neuner III, C. Zorman, G. Shvets, P.J. Ferreira, D. Kovar, “Influence of Defects on the Optical Performance of Single-crystal Silicon Carbide Films” Appl. Phys. Lett., 98, 191904 (2011). Abstract

M. Nahar, I.F. Gallardo, K.L. Gleason, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, "Metal-on-Oxide Nanoparticles Produced Using Laser Ablation of Microparticle Aerosols," J. Nanopart. Res., 13 3455-3464 (2011). Abstract

J. Ma, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Laser Ablation of Nanoparticles and Nanoparticulate, Thick Fe_1.92Tb_0.3Dy_0.7 Films,” J. Mater. Res., 25 [10], 1733-1740 (2010). Abstract

M.A. Asoro, D. Kovar, Y. Shao-Horn, L.F. Allard, and P.J. Ferreira, “Coalescence and Sintering of Pt Nanoparticles: In-situ Observation by Aberration-Corrected HAADF STEM,” Nanotechnology 21, 025701 (2010). Abstract

J. Ma, D.T. O’Brien, and D. Kovar, “Amorphous Terfenol-D Films using Nanosecond Pulsed Laser Deposition,” Thin Solid Films 518, 319-323 (2009). Abstract

C. Huang, E.-J. Yun, J. Ma, J. Keto, M.F. Becker, D. Kovar, “Synthesis and Characterization of Permalloy Nanostructured Films by Deposition of Laser Ablated Nanoparticles,” J. Magn. Mag. Mater. 321, 2537-2540 (2009). Abstract

C. Torres-Garibay and D. Kovar, “Perovskite-Related Intergrowth Cathode Materials with Thin YSZ Electrolytes for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells,” J. Power Sources 192, 396-399 (2009). Abstract

C. Torres-Garibay, D. Kovar and A. Manthiram “Ln_0.6Sr_0.4Co_1-yFe_yO_3-δ (Ln = La and Nd; y = 0 and 0.5) Cathodes With Thin Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Electrolytes for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells,” J. Power Sources, 187, 480-486 (2009). Abstract

A.D. Albert, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Low Temperature, Pressure-Assisted Sintering of Nanoparticulate Silver Films,” Acta Mater. 56, 1820-1829 (2008). Abstract

C. Huang, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Annealing of Nanostructured Silver Films Produced by Supersonic Deposition of Nanoparticles,” J. Appl. Phys., 102, 054308 (2007). Abstract

C. Huang, W.T. Nichols, D.T. O’Brien, M.F. Becker, D. Kovar, and J.W. Keto, “Supersonic Jet Deposition of Silver Nanoparticle Aerosols: Correlations of Impact Conditions and Film Morphologies,” J. Appl. Phys. 101, 064902 (2007). Abstract

J. Baek, J. Ma, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, "Correlations Between Optical Properties, Microstructure, and Processing Conditions of AlN Thin Films Fabricated by PLD," Thin Solid Films, 515, 7096-7104, 2007. Abstract

J.W. Keto, M.F. Becker, D. Kovar, G. Malyavanatham, A. Muller, D.T. O'Brien, C.K. Shih, and J. Wang, "Nanoparticles of Er-Doped Glass Produced by Laser Ablation of Microparticles,"J. Opt. Soc. Am. B., 23 [8] 1581-1585 (2006). Abstract

D.S. Stoker, J. Baek, W. Wang, D. Kovar, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, “Ultrafast Third-harmonic Generation from Textured AlN/Sapphire Interfaces,” Phys. Rev. A., 73 053812-1–053812-12 (2006). Abstract

J. Baek, D. Kovar, J.W. Keto, and M.F. Becker,“Determination of Properties of Wedged, Rough, and Absorbing Thin Films Using a Novel Numerical Method,” Appl. Opt., 45 [7] 1627-1639, (2006). Abstract

G. Malyavanatham, D.T. O'Brien, M.F. Becker, W.T. Nichols, J. W. Keto, D. Kovar, S. Euphrasie, T. Loue and P. Pernod, "Thick Films Fabricated by Laser Ablation of PZT Microparticles," J. Mater. Proc. Tech., 168 [2] 273-279 (2005). Abstact

P.J. Elverum, J.L. Ellzey, and D. Kovar, "Durability of YZA Ceramic Foams in a Porous Burner," J. Mater. Sci., 40 155-164 (2005). Abstract

G. Malyavantham, D.T. O’Brien, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, "Au-Cu Nanoparticles Produced by Laser Ablation of Mixtures of Au and Cu Microparticles," J. Nanoparticle Res., 6 [6] 661-664 (2004). Abstract

J. Wang, E.M. Taleff, and D. Kovar, "Superplastic Deformation of Al₂O₃/Y-TZP Particulate Composites and Laminates," Acta Mater., 52 [19] 5485-5791 (2004). Abstract

J. Wang, E.M. Taleff, and D. Kovar, "High Temperature Deformation of Al₂O₃/Y-TZP Particulate Laminates," Acta Mater., 52 [15] 4685-4693 (2004). Abstract

D.E. Henneke, G. Malyavanatham, D. Kovar, W.T. Nichols, J.W. Keto, D.T. O'Brien, and M.F. Becker, "Stabilization of Silver Nanoparticles in Nonanoic Acid: A Temperature Activated Conformation Reaction Observed with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy," J. Chem. Phys., 119 [13] 6802-6809 (2003). Abstract

J. Wang, E.M. Taleff, and D. Kovar, "High-Temperature Deformation of Al₂O₃/Y-TZP Particulate Composites, " Acta Mater., 51 [12] 3571-3583 (2003). Abstract

A. Hashimoto and D. Kovar, "Controlled Precracking of Fracture Mechanics Specimens Using Localized Contact Stresses," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 85 [9] 2251-2255 (2002). Abstract

M.S. Noel and D. Kovar, "Laser Chemical Vapor Deposition of TiC on Tantalum," J. Mater. Sci. 37 689-697, (2002). Abstract

P.W. Hall, J.S. Swinnea, and D. Kovar, "Fracture Resistance of Highly Textured Alumina," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 84 [7] 1514-1520, (2001). Abstract

S.Y. Lienard, D. Kovar, R. J. Moon, K.J. Bowman and J.W. Halloran, "Texture Development in Si₃N₄/BN Fibrous Monolithic Ceramics, J. Mater. Sci. 35 3365-3371 (2000). Abstract

D. Kovar, S.J. Bennison, and M.J. Readey, "Crack Stability and Strength Variability in Alumina Ceramics with Rising Touhgness-Curve Behavior," Acta Mater. 48 565-578 (2000). Abstract

J.R. Mawdsley, D. Kovar, and J.W. Halloran, "Fracture Behavior of Alumina/Monazite Multilayer Laminates," J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 83 [4] 802-808 (2000). Abstract

D. Kovar, M.D. Thouless, and J.W. Halloran, "Crack Deflection and Propagation in Layered Silicon Nitride/Boron Nitride Ceramics," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 81 [4] 1004-1012 (1998). Abstract

D. Kovar, B.H. King, R.W. Trice, and J.W. Halloran, "Feature Article: Fibrous Monolithic Ceramics," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 80 [10] 2471-2487 (1997). Abstract

D. Kovar and M.D. Thouless, "Simple Method for Measuring Frictional Sliding Resistance and Energy Dissipation in Layered Ceramics," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 80 [3] 673-679 (1997). Abstract

D. Kovar and M.J. Readey, "Grain Size Distributions and Strength Variability of High-Purity Alumina," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 79 [2] 305-312 (1996). Abstract

H.L. O'Donnell, M.J. Readey, and D. Kovar, "The Effect of Glass Additions on the Indentation Strength Behavior of Alumina," J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 78 [4] 849-856 (1995). Abstract

D. Kovar and M.J. Readey, "Role of Grain Size in Strength Variability of Alumina," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 77 [7] 1928-1938 (1994). Abstract

K.L. Gleason, J.W. Keto, D. Kovar, M.F. Becker, "Metal and Metal-Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesis by Laser Ablation of Aqueous Aerosols," Laser Material Interactions at Micro/Nanoscales, Proceedings of the MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium TT, San Francisco, CA, April 25-29, 2011. mrss11-1365-tt03-02. DOI: 10.1557/opl.2011.1385. Abstract

M. Nahar and D. Kovar, “Morphological Stability of Gold Nanoparticles on Titania Nanoparticles,” Ceramic Transactions vol. 223 – Proceedings of the International Symposium on Controlled Processing of Nanoparticle Structures and Composites, pg. 23-30, Ed. by K. Lu, C. Li, E. Medvedovski, and E.A. Olevsky, MS&T’09, Pittsburgh, PA, October 25 – 29, 2009. Abstract

D. Kovar, A.D. Albert, M.F. Becker, and J.W. Keto, “Pressure-Assisted Sintering of Nanocrystalline Silver Lines Produced by Laser Ablation of Microparticle Aerosols,” Proceedings of the ASME Conference on Manufacturing Science and Engineering (MSEC 2007), Advances in Synergistic Effects of Materials and Processing, No. MSEC2007-31170, Atlanta, GA, October 15-18, 2007. Abstract

J. Baek, D. Kovar, J.W. Keto, and M.F. Becker, “A Novel Method for the Determination of Optical Properties of Absorbing Thin Films with Thickness Variations,” Materials Research Society Fall Meeting-Symposium LL: Combinatorial Methods and Informatics in Materials Science, Vol. 894. 0894-LL03-20.1, MRS, Pittsburgh, PA, 2005. Abstract

J. Wang, D. Kovar, and E.M. Taleff, “Deformation of Superplastic Al₂O₃/Y-TZP Particulate and Particulate Laminat Composites” in Advances in Superplasticity and Superplastic Forming, ed. by E. M. Taleff, P. A. Friedman, P. E. Krajewski, R. S. Mishra, and J. G. Schroth, pp. 265-273, TMS, Warrendale, PA, 2004. Abstract

J.W. Keto, W. Nichols, D. O'Brien, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “Nanoparticles: Building Blocks for Nanostructured Materials,” From the Atomic to the Nano-scale, Proceedings of the International Workshop, C. T. Whelan and J. H. McGuire, Eds.(Old Dominion, 2003) pp. 54-62. Abstract

T. Sullivan, J. Wang, D. Kovar, and E.M. Taleff, "Development of Superplastic Al₂O₃ /Y-TZP Duplex Laminates" in Ceramic Transactions Vol 128: Advances in Ceramic-Matrix Composites VII, April 22-25, 2001; pp. 89-100, The American Ceramic Society, Westerville, OH, ed. by N. P. Bansal, J. P. Singh, and H.-T Lin, 2001. Abstract

P.W. Hall and D. Kovar, "Processing and Fracture Response of Morphologically Textured Alumina"; J. Mater. Proc. Tech., Vol. 117/3 "Special Issue", THERMEC 2000 - Proceedings of the International Conference on Processing and Manufacturing of Advanced Materials. Edited by T. Chandra, K. Higashi, C. Suryanarayana, and C. Tome. Elsevier Science, Las Vegas, NV, 2001. Abstract

D. Kovar and P.W. Hall, "Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Textured Alumina," in Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Texture of Materials, August 9-13, 1999; pp. 1501-1506, NRC Research Press, Montreal, Canada; 1999. Abstract

D. Kovar, G.A. Brady, M.D. Thouless, and J.W. Halloran, "Interfacial Fracture Between Boron Nitride and Silicon Nitride and Its Applications to the Failure Behavior of Fibrous Monolithic Ceramics"; pp. 243-248 in Vol. 409, Materials Research Society Fall Meeting-Symposium Q, Instability Dynamics, Scaling, and Ductile/Brittle Behavior. Edited by R.L. Blumberg Selinger, J.J. Mecholsky, A.E. Carlsson, and E.R. Fuller, Jr. Materials Research Society, Pittsburgh, PA, Boston, MA, 1996. Abstract

M.J. Readey and D. Kovar, "The Effect of Grain Shape on Strength Variability of Alumina Ceramics"; pp. 459-471 in Vol. 11, Fracture Mechanics of Ceramics. Edited by R.C. Bradt, D.P.H. Hasselman, D. Munz, M. Sakai, and V.Y. Shevchenko. Plenum Press; New York, NY, USA, Karlsruhe, Germany, 1995. Abstract

S. Rajasekhara, B. Neuner III, G. Shvets, P. J. Ferreira, D. Kovar, “The Influence of Microstructure on the Optical Quality of Silicon Carbide Films,” Proceedings of Microscopy & Microanalysis 2010, Portland, OR, August 1-5, 2010, In Press.

A.D. Albert, C. Huang, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Deposition of Nanostructured Silver Lines and Films from Aerosols Produced by LAMA,” Proceedings of the International Symposium on Synergistic Effects of Materials and Processing (ISSEMP 2006), JSME No. 06-207, pp. 1-6, Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Kumamoto, Japan, September 19, 2006. Abstract

C. Torres Garibay, “Manufacturing of Reduced-Dimensions Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Using Inexpensive Ceramic Techniques,” Proceedings of the GEC Graduate Engineering Student Research Conference,The University of Texas at Austin, TX, April 28, 2005.

M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Nanoscale Manufacturing-Nonlinear Nanocomposites for Magnetostrictive Actuators and Photonic Devices,” 2005 NSF Design, Service and Manufacturing Grantees and Research Conference Proceedings, pp. 1-5, January 3-6, 2005, Scottsdale, AZ.

M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Nanoscale Manufacturing-Nonlinear Nanocomposites for Magnetostrictive Actuators and Photonic Devices,” Proceedings of the 2004 NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Grantees Conference, pp. 1-3, December 13-15, 2004, Arlington,VA.

J. Ma, D.T. O’Brien, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, D. Kovar, “Nanoscale Manufacturing - Nanocomposites for Magnetostrictive Actuators,” 2004 NSF Design, Service and Manufacturing Grantees and Research Conference Proceedings, pp. 1-7, January 5-8, 2004, Dallas, TX. Abstract

P.J. Elverum, J.L. Ellzey, and D. Kovar, "Material Performance in a Porous Ceramic Burner," in Proceedings of the Spring Meeting of the Western States Section of the Combustion Institute, La Jolla, California, Paper #02S-9, 2002.

M.S. Noel, J.J. Gallegos III, J.M. Sanchez, and D. Kovar, "LACVD of Ceramic Coatings for Pu Processing"; ANRC Technical Report, May 15th, 2000

M.S. Noel, D. Kovar, and J.M. Sanchez, "Stability of Ceramic Coatings for Pu Processing"; Proceedings of ANRC Researcher's Conference (Amarillo, TX, July 19-21, 1999).

M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Methods for producing coated nanoparticles from microparticles,” US Patent Number 7,527,824, May 5, 2009. Licensed to Intellectual Ventures in 2008.

D. Kovar and G.R. Rodin, “Honeycomb Ceramics with Extreme Thermal Shock Resistance,” Provisional Patent Application # 61/229,320; August 2009.

Freeman, B.F., Matteucci, S., Becker, M.F., Keto, J.W., and Kovar, D., “Enhanced Transport Selectivity Using Nanoparticle Filled Polymers,” Provisional Patent Application # 61/236,267; August 2009. International Patent Application filed by UT Austin, July 30, 2010 (PCT/US 2010/043947).

D. Kovar, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, I. Gallardo, and M. Nahar, “Production of Bare Nanoparticle-on-Nanoparticle Surfaces,” Provisional Patent Application # 61/247,971; October 2009. International Patent Application filed by UT Austin, September 15, 2010 (PCT/US 2010/48955).

My principal area of teaching is in the Materials Science and Engineering area of the Mechanical Engineering Department. I teach

ME 336 Materials Processing
ME 136L Materials Processing Laboratory
ME 387S Synthesis and Processing of Nanomaterials
ME 378K/38P2 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
ME 378S/386Q13 Structural Ceramics

My average course instructor rating since 2003 is 4.4/5.0 which is significantly above the Cockrell School of Engineering’s and the University’s average instructor ratings (4.0 and 4.1, respectively).

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