Adrienne Stiff-Roberts

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Associate Dean for Community-Based Innovation

Adrienne  Stiff-Roberts Profile Photo
Adrienne Stiff-Roberts Profile Photo

Research Interests

Thin-film deposition, MAPLE, hybrid perovskites, hybrid nanocomposites, organic thin films

Bio

Dr. Stiff-Roberts received both the B.S. degree in physics from Spelman College and the B.E.E. degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1999. She received an M.S.E. in electrical engineering and a Ph.D. in applied physics in 2001 and 2004, respectively, from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she investigated high-temperature quantum dot infrared photodetectors grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Dr. Stiff-Roberts joined Duke University in August 2004, and she is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Dr. Stiff-Roberts' research interests include the synthesis of multi-component and hybrid (organic-inorganic) materials using a novel approach for organic-based thin film deposition that combines solution and vacuum-processing. Known as emulsion-based, resonant infrared matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (RIR-MAPLE), this technique offers a completely new way to integrate novel functions into organic-based films and devices that are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve otherwise. Research efforts include materials synthesis and characterization to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of thin-film growth using RIR-MAPLE, as well as device fabrication and characterization for a broad range of applications (especially optoelectronic and energy devices).

Education

  • B.S. Spelman College, 1999
  • B.S.E.E. Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999
  • M.Sc.Eng. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2001
  • Ph.D. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2004

Positions

  • Jeffrey N. Vinik Professor
  • Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Associate Dean for Community Based Innovation in the Pratt School of Engineering
  • Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
  • Faculty Network Member of The Energy Initiative

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

  • Lois and John L. Imhoff Distinguished Teaching Award. Pratt School of Engineering. 2021
  • Faculty Honoree. Duke University Senior Honors. 2017
  • Invited Speaker. National Academy of Engineering (NAE), EU-US Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, Finland. 2016
  • Julian Abele Award for Graduate Mentor of the Year. Mary Lou Williams Center, Black Student Alliance, and Black Graduate and Professional Student Association. 2016
  • IEEE Early Career Award in Nanotechnology for u201ccontributions to the development of nanoscale quantum dots for infrared detectionu201d. IEEE Nanotechnology Council. 2009
  • Senior Member. IEEE. 2009
  • Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Department of Defense, Office of Naval Research. 2008
  • Young Investigator Award. Office of Naval Research. 2007
  • NSF CAREER AWARD. National Science Foundation. 2006
  • Inducted. Phi Beta Kappa Society. 1998
  • Inducted. Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society. 1998
  • Inducted. Golden Key Honor Society. 1996

Courses Taught

  • ECE 521: Quantum Mechanics
  • MSEG 891: Internship