Dr. Josh Kacher

Biography

Josh Kacher joined Georgia Tech’s Materials Science Engineering department as an associate professor in Fall 2015. Prior to this role, he was a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. His research is focused on understanding the Portevin-le Chatelier effect and the development of novel rhenium-replacement alloys. Kacher's approach involves applying in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) deformation to understand how local chemistry influences the behavior of defects such as dislocations and twins. He also employs coupled mesoscale characterization techniques like electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to study defect states and deformation processes. His PhD and master's work concentrated on utilizing multiscale electron microscopy techniques to investigate defect behavior in ion-irradiated stainless steels and materials under elevated temperatures, including magnesium alloys for lightweight developments. His research group is particularly interested in the mechanical corrosion behavior of materials in extreme environments, including the effects of microstructure on local corrosion susceptibility. The Kacher Lab employs fast microstructure characterization and direct observation of defect interactions during chemical processes.

Research Interests