Professor Faber is interested in the fracture of brittle materials and mechanisms by which such materials can be toughened and strengthened through composite strategies and residual stresses, often using synchrotron radiation for internal stress measurement. Her studies comprise ceramics for energy-related applications including thermal and environmental barrier coatings for power generation components and porous solids for filters and flow. More recently, she has also worked with the Art Institute of Chicago to establish the Northwestern University/Art Institute of Chicago Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts where advanced materials characterization and analytical techniques are used in support of conservation science.
B.S., Alfred University, 1975; M.S., The Pennsylvania State University, 1978; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1982. Ramo Professor, Caltech, 2014-.