Dr. Volker Blum

Associate Professor

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Biography

Volker Blum is an Associate Dean for Research and the Rooney Family Associate Professor at the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering. He holds a doctorate in physics from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. His research interests include computational materials science, focusing on electronic structure methods, particularly as applied to quantum materials and nano-structured systems. Over the years, Prof. Blum has contributed to many publications across various high-impact journals, emphasizing his work on hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites, materials characterization, and the computational modeling of material properties. In addition to his academic duties, he is known for his role as a mentor to students and a researcher in developing methods for materials simulations, pushing the boundaries of current computational techniques. His work has garnered several awards, including recognition for being an outstanding referee for Physical Review journals. Apart from his academic contributions, Blum actively engages with the materials science community through conferences and collaborations with both academic and industrial partners.

Research Interests

Awards

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Outstanding Referee

2016-01-01
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August-Wilhelm-Scheer Visiting Professorship

2016-01-01
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Staedtler Foundation Prize

2002-01-01

Courses

MSEG 591: Independent Study ME 591: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering Material Science 560S: Materials Science Engineering Seminar 511: Computational Materials Science 492: Special Projects Mechanical Engineering 491: Special Projects Mechanical Engineering 221L: Structure Properties Solids

Requirements for Duke University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.2
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Multivariable Calculus Introduction to Physics (mechanics) Introduction to Chemistry
Application Checklist
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Specialization Notes

Department of Biomedical Engineering (MS program)