Alford researches various aspects of materials science, including X-ray and electron diffraction, semiconductor processing, and the development of advanced materials for integrated circuits. His research focuses on critical topics such as silver and copper metallization, low-k dielectrics for future integrated circuit (IC) technologies, advanced metallization for low-power electronics and for novel IC components formation, and the adhesion properties of sol-gel hydroxyapatite-metal systems for biomedical applications.