Professor Brown’s interests include establishing the mechanisms leading to strength development in calcium silicate cements used for civil engineering and alumina and phosphate based cements used in refractory applications. Specifically Professor Brown is interested in the mechanisms and kinetics of hydration of the major cement compounds and their relationship to microstructural development and mechanical properties. He is also interested in the mechanisms which compromise the service lives of concrete used in civil engineering. In particular he is interested in mechanisms of sulfate attack, the alkali silica reaction and those facilitating the corrosion of embedded reinforcing steel. Professor Brown is also evaluating the mechanisms by which synthetic hard tissue analogs can be formed in vivo. His interest is focused on compositions close to native tissues as these are easily osteointegrated., it is des In particular his group has carried out a significant number of studies related to the formation of monolithic hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate-collagen composites at physiologic temperature. These studies have demonstrated the ability to form hydroxyapatite compositions containing various substitutions which confer bioactivities that can be tailored to a specific need. Unlike many conventional ceramics large porosity is desirable in bone analogs to facilitate osteointergration. Reduction in strength can be compensated by producing composites containing suitable polymers. Work in Professor Brown’s group has led to the development of hydroxyapatite-collagen composites which can be constituted at the time of surgery, placed in a defect as a paste, development needed mechanical properties in vivo, exhibit physical properties approaching those of true bone, and undergo resorption and eventual replacement by native tissue.