Recep Avci

Professor Recep Avci is a Research Professor in the Department of Physics at Montana State University's College of Letters & Science. He serves as the Director of the Imaging and Chemical Analysis Laboratory (ICAL), a core facility specializing in complementary surface, interfacial, and bulk characterization of materials using state-of-the-art instrumentation for high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy. ICAL is also a partner of the Montana Nanotechnology Facility (MONT), part of the NSF-sponsored National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure program.

Education:

• Ph.D. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Solid State Physics, 1978
• M.S. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1976
• B.S. from Istanbul University, Physics, 1971

Dr. Avci's research focuses on nanoscale material characterization using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. His expertise spans the study of bulk and bio-materials, with emphasis on surfaces and interfaces. His current interests include biophysics, particularly the trapping and concentration of bacteria from liquid environments including fuels, and their application to studying microbially influenced corrosion of materials and biodeterioration of fuels. He also investigates the role of metallurgy in bio-deterioration of metals and alloys. With over 100 published articles and two book chapters, Dr. Avci has made significant contributions across materials science, nanotechnology, and corrosion science.

Analysis of Dr. Avci's publications reveals a consistent focus on advanced material characterization techniques, particularly surface analysis methods like SIMS, SEM, and various spectroscopic approaches. His work spans multiple disciplines with applications ranging from industrial materials to biological systems. A notable trend is the application of nanoscale characterization to understand biological interactions with materials, particularly in corrosion and biodeterioration contexts. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between physics, materials science, microbiology, and engineering.

Grants:

• FMRG Eco: Manufacturing, repairing, and re-using biomineralized infrastructure materials through low-energy biological processes (National Science Foundation)
• NNCI: Montana Nanotechnology Facility (National Science Foundation)

As Director of ICAL, Dr. Avci oversees a facility serving MSU researchers, external academics, and industry partners. The laboratory supports research across physical, chemical, material, biological, Earth and environmental sciences, and engineering disciplines. ICAL provides training, material characterization services, and expert experimental design assistance, with instrumentation including field-emission scanning electron microscopes, Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, Auger Nanoprobe, Powder X-ray diffraction, and Atomic Force Microscopy.