Hufnagel’s research focuses on phase transformations, mechanical properties and structure-property relationships, with an emphasis on amorphous metallic alloys, or "metallic glasses". One theme of his research is the application of advanced structural characterization tools to the study of metallic glasses.
He has developed a novel technique for producing composite materials consisting of micron-scale crystalline particles embedded in a metallic glass matrix, the result of which is that the composites can withstand much larger strains before failure than can the unreinforced metallic glasses.
Hufnagel has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, an Army Research Office Young Investigator Award, and the Whiting School’s Capers and Marion McDonald Award for Excellence in Mentoring and Advising.