Prof Curran’s research focus is in nanotechnology where his program consists of understand and developing new materials and systems in the fields of hydrophobicity, nanophotonics, nanoelectroinics and nanophonics. In the materials area, the focus is on nanocomposite formation and coatings using organic polymers (conjugated and non-conjugated) as hosts and filler nanomaterials (nanotubes, fullerenes, nanowires, nanodots); understanding their constituent and combined properties. Combining science and engineering enables the development of new photonic, phononic and electronic systems fabrication that includes devices at the nanoscale, modified multifunctional surfaces to more robust macroscale energy systems. Before developing new technologies, it is critical to start at a fundamental level in understanding how materials interact, their basic properties and how they can be replicated consistently. Much of my research from 1995-2009 has been looking at morphological, spectroscopic and electronic characteristics of materials. It is only since then that more applied systems can be constructed.