Craig Friedrich

Biography

Craig Friedrich is the Robbins Professor of Sustainable Design and Manufacturing and has been on the faculty of the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics for more than fifteen years, after serving on the faculty at Louisiana Tech University for ten years. He serves as the associate chair and director of graduate studies in the department and directs the Multi-Scale Technologies Institute. Friedrich holds a BSME and an MSME from Louisiana Tech University, and a PhD from Oklahoma State University.

Friedrich’s research generally focuses on mechanical micromachining and nanofabrication for health and energy. In the 1990s, he pioneered the field of mechanical micromilling, making and using milling tools one-quarter of the diameter of a hair in size. Friedrich is currently working on nanotexturing orthopedic implant surfaces to promote cell growth and bone adhesion, and he leads an interdisciplinary team in developing nanosensors, with the goal of detecting biomolecules associated with the early onset of muscle degeneration. Recent work focused on the use of proteins derived from bacteria that act as biological solar cells and can also be used for molecular-scale toxin sensing. In 2010, Friedrich received the Paul A. Siple Award for this work, the highest recognition for research bestowed by the US Army. His research is based on the diversity of the field of mechanical engineering and a commitment to lifelong learning.