L. Catherine Brinson

Sharon C. and Harold L. Yoh, III Distinguished Professor

The Brinson lab’s research objective is to characterize and model advanced materials systems, bridging across scales, to develop new understanding of material mechanisms and transfer knowledge into FAIR datasets towards novel material design. The research activities include nanoscale experimental investigations, especially using AFM methodologies, computational predictions of material behavior using finite element analysis and micro mechanics approaches, and application of AI methods including surrogate modeling, optimization, and natural language processing. Target material systems include multiphase polymer systems, nancomposites, bioplastics, metamaterials and 3d printing materials. 

Appointments and Affiliations

  • Sharon C. and Harold L. Yoh, III Distinguished Professor
  • Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Contact Information

  • Office Location: 3379 FCIEMAS Building, Duke Campus, Durham, NC 27708
  • Email Address: cate.brinson@duke.edu
  • Websites:

Education

  • B.S. Virginia Polytech Institute and State University, 1985
  • M.S. California Institute of Technology, 1986
  • Ph.D. California Institute of Technology, 1990
  • Northwestern University, 1997
  • Northwestern University, 2003
  • Northwestern University, 2017
  • Northwestern University, 2017
  • Northwestern University, 2013
  • Northwestern University, 2017

Research Interests

Mechanics of materials, with emphasis on complex hierarchical materials and polymer based systems, and merging concepts of data science into materials. Nanoscale and bulk scale experimental characterization, modeling and simulation of the behavior of materials, including physics based and machine learning approaches. Current research foci include nanostructured polymers, interfacial behavior, structural metamaterials and data platforms for material query and design.

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

  • A.C. Eringen Medal. Society of Engineering Science (SES). 2022
  • AAAS Fellow. American Association for the Advancement of Science. 2020
  • Nadai Medal. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). 2014
  • Fellow. American Academy of Mechanics. 2013
  • Fellow. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2009
  • Fellow. Society for Engineering Science. 2007
  • Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Prize. Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. 2006
  • Thomas JR Hughes Young Investigator Award. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2003
  • NSF CAREER Award. National Science Foundation (NSF). 1995

Courses Taught

  • MSEG 591: Independent Study
  • ME 758S: Curricular Practical Training
  • ME 592: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science
  • ME 582: Applications in Data and Materials Science
  • ME 555: Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 492: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 491: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 490: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 392: Undergraduate Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 391: Undergraduate Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ISS 796T: Bass Connections Information, Society & Culture Research Team
  • ISS 795T: Bass Connections Information, Society & Culture Research Team
  • ISS 396T: Bass Connections Information, Society & Culture Research Team
  • ISS 395T: Bass Connections Information, Society & Culture Research Team
  • ISS 394T: Bass Connections Information, Society & Culture Research Team
  • EGR 393: Research Projects in Engineering
  • COMPSCI 583: Applications in Data and Materials Science
  • CEE 521: Elasticity (GE, BB)
  • BME 526: Elasticity (GE, BB)

In the News

Representative Publications

  • D’Souza, Jennifer, Sameer Sadruddin, Anisa Rula, Ana Bossler, Andrés Fullana, Enric Bas, Syed Ather, et al. “SciSchema.org: A Multidisciplinary Collection of Schemas for Structured Scientific Process Descriptions,” July 30, 2026.
  • Lalonde, Jessica N., Defne Circi, Babetta L. Marrone, Stefan Zauscher, and L Catherine Brinson. “Challenges and Vision for Standardization of Biopolymer Data Sets for Machine Learning.” Biomacromolecules 27, no. 7 (July 2026): 4059–80. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.6c00211.
  • Choi, M., D. D. Cho, R. Sheridan, D. B. Mitzi, and L. C. Brinson. “Uncertainty-aware dimensionality prediction of low-dimensional hybrid metal halides by integrating Bayesian modeling and experiments.” Journal of Materials Chemistry A 14, no. 29 (May 19, 2026): 18589–98. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ta09980c.
  • Zhang, Han, Anshuman Sabath, Timothy W. Dunn, and L Catherine Brinson. “Liberata -- Graph Scientometrics for a Share Based System of Academic Publishing,” May 3, 2026.
  • Prabhune, P., A. Chen, Y. Comlek, W. Chen, and L. C. Brinson. “Process–structure–property relation for elastoplastic behavior of polymer nanocomposites with agglomerates and interfacial gradients.” Composites Science and Technology 274 (February 8, 2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2025.111435.