TMI Newsletter | March 2025
Featured News
Dr. Deji Akinwande’s research group has just published new research in ACS Nano. The team developed a novel method using UV-Ozone to create precisely engineered defects in graphene membranes. This breakthrough solves a major challenge in ultrathin hydrogen fuel cell membranes, improving their performance without affecting the material’s strength or stability.
Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and Argonne National Laboratory have developed a comprehensive study on high-nickel cathodes, aiming to improve their thermal stability and safety for use in batteries. Their findings, which include a thermal stability index, provide a roadmap for safer, more efficient batteries that can support the growing demand for electric vehicles, with future research focusing on the interaction between cathodes and electrolytes.
An international research team, led by scientists from The University of Texas at Austin, has unveiled a groundbreaking double moiré system made of four graphene layers. In this innovative structure, the top and bottom pairs form small-twist-angle bilayer graphene, while the middle interface is characterized by a large rotational mismatch.
Dr. Deji Akinwande's research group in collaboration with ETH has reported a significant contribution to the field of materials science with the publication of a review article in Nature Materials, one of the top journals in the field.
We’re excited to announce Dr. D. Emma Fan’s election to the AIMBE Board of Directors, voted on by AIMBE Fellows. This honor highlights her dedication to the field, and she’s eager to contribute to advancing medical and biological engineering.
Congratulations, Dr. Fan!
2025 TMI Distinguished Lectureship Award
Dr. Esther Takeuchi of Stony Brook University accepts the 2025 TMI Distinguished Lectureship Award, recognizing her groundbreaking contributions to material science. Her inspiring lecture on March 27, 2025, highlighted her remarkable impact in the field.
Graduate Student Appreciation Week: April 7-11
Spring 2025 MSE 397 Seminar Series
Dr. Hao Yan, University of North Texas
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Dr. Hao Yan is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at University of North Texas. He obtained his PhD from Harvard in 2010. Before joining UNT, he was a postdoctoral fellow and research associate with Stanford University and SLAC National Lab. His current research interests include high-pressure chemistry, materials science and biophysics.
Dr. Raymond Orbach, UT Austin
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Dr. Raymond Orbach is a tenured professor with joint appointments in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, and Geosciences at the University of Texas. He served as the Department of Energy's first under secretary for science from 2006, overseeing research, development programs, and 17 national laboratories. He has held prestigious academic and leadership roles, published over 240 scientific articles, and received numerous honors, including fellowships and prestigious professorships.
Dr.Rohan Akolkar, Case Western Reserve University
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Dr. Rohan Akolkar is a distinguished professor at Case Western Reserve University and Chief Scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, with expertise in electrochemical engineering for applications in energy, nanoelectronics, and critical materials extraction. His research has led to numerous patents and awards, including recognition from the National Academy of Inventors and the Electrochemical Society, and he is also the co-founder of Galvanix Inc.
Dr. Scott Roberts, Sandia NL/ABQ
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Dr. Scott Roberts is a Distinguished R&D Chemical Engineer in Sandia National Laboratories' Engineering Sciences Center. He holds a B.S. and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kansas and the University of Minnesota, respectively, where he researched electro-hydrodynamic instabilities in thin fluid films.
Meet Your TMI Core Faculty
What did you do before your current position?
I was a post-doctoral researcher for two years at the University of Michigan.
What motivated you to become involved in Materials Science Engineering?
I didn’t know which field of engineering I wanted to apply for when I was doing my college applications. At the time my older brother, the civil engineer, had just taken Materials Engineering course required of almost all engineers and described it to me. It sounded interesting, so I jumped in. Later, when I was a sophomore and took the same class and then started to do research with a professor, I knew I had gotten lucky and selected the right major.
Describe the most memorable event or experience you’ve encountered in your career?
I can’t point to a single event. However, even after 27 years as a faculty member at UT, there is a special feeling I get when I see students eyes light up. Sometimes it is students in my lab, who discover something new. Sometimes it is students in my class, who suddenly understand a complicated concept that they had been struggling with.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
In my research, I study mostly metals and ceramics, but for fun I like to work with another material, wood. I recently made the table and chairs for my office.
MS&E Student Spotlight: Tara Ingebrand
What’s something you are working on right now?
I am researching electrolytes for high voltage sodium ion batteries.
What’s the best part of the project you’re working on now?
Something I like about the project I am working on right now is mentoring the new students in our lab.
What advice would you give to future students that could see themselves going to graduate school and how to get there?
I would advise students who are considering graduate school to reach out to professors to try to get some undergraduate research experience, or to try to talk to current graduate students about their experience, because graduate school is very different from undergrad.
What are some of your goals for your work, future, grad school, etc?
One of my goals for the near future is to publish my paper and complete my preliminary exam.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of school/work?
Outside of the lab my favorite things to do are bouldering and trying new restaurants around Austin.
Upcoming Events & Announcements
Graduate School April Events
- LinkedIn Lab for Graduate Students & Postdocs: April 15, 11 am to 12 pm | FAC 2.134
- Networking for Introverts for Graduate Students & Postdocs: April 18, 11 am to 12:30 pm | FAC 2.142
- Resume Lab for Graduate Students & Postdocs: April 24, 2 pm to 3 pm | FAC 2.134
Spring 2025 Academic Dates
- Last day to apply for a graduate degree: April 4
- Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 registration for continuing and readmitted students: April 07
- Last class day: April 28
- Study days: April 29 & 30
- Final exams: May 1 - 3 & 5
