TMI Newsletter | August 2024
Featured News
Dr. David Burghoff has received a $9 million MURI award to lead a project optimizing measurements in astronomy, remote sensing, and quantum information processing through advanced heterodyne spectroscopy. His research aims to enhance spatial and spectral resolution technology.
Associate Professor Michael Cullinan has received a DARPA award to lead a project developing multifunctional metal parts with embedded chipless RFID sensors for structural health monitoring in additively manufactured components. The project aims to advance manufacturing and sensor technology with a collaborative team from UT Austin.
A new study led by Dr. Yuanyue Liu and supported by NASA reveals that copper-graphene composites may actually have lower electrical conductivity than pure copper due to increased electron scattering. The research also finds that compressive strain along the (111) plane of copper significantly enhances its conductivity, offering new insights for optimizing electrical conductors.
Researchers at UT Austin have developed a faster, chemical-free method for forming carbon dioxide hydrates, improving large-scale carbon storage efficiency and opening new possibilities for desalination and gas storage.
Professor Nanshu Lu has been appointed the Carol Cockrell Curran Chair in Engineering at the Cockrell School of Engineering, recognizing her leadership and significant contributions in advancing flexible electronics and human-robot interaction. This prestigious role involves developing key programs, mentoring faculty, and providing strategic guidance within the school.
Dr. Ray Chen of UT Austin recently visited Taiwan to deliver a colloquium at National Taiwan University and discussed potential collaborations with Taiwanese universities. His research in integrated photonics, focusing on sensing, computing, and AI applications, is expected to attract several Taiwanese PhD students to his group later this year.
Professor Guihua Yu has been honored in the Falling Walls Foundation Global Call for his advancements in generating clean water using solar energy. His innovative work with hydrogel-based technologies has led to significant improvements in solar water harvesting and purification, potentially transforming access to clean water globally.
Fall 2024 MSE 397 Seminar Series
Dr. Nina Balke, NC State
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Dr. Nina Balke, a professor at North Carolina State University, specializes in AFM applications for energy and information technology. Her research emphasizes electro-chemo-mechanical coupling in energy storage materials. In this seminar she'll discuss force-based AFM to study local electrochemical processes essential for improving energy storage in electric vehicles and renewable systems. AFM provides nanoscale insights into defects in graphene electrodes and ion transport in supercapacitors and batteries. It also explores ionic liquids and Ti3C2 electrodes, focusing on electro-chemo-mechanical coupling.
Dr. Zhiting Tian, Cornell University
Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Dr. Tian's research helps advance materials for energy and quantum applications. The abstract covers Dr. Zhiting Tian's recent work on thermal phonons, which are vital for heat transfer in insulators, semiconductors, and quantum materials. Her research focuses on three areas: (1) Microelectronics cooling, where she developed a new model for interfacial thermal transport and studied phonon behavior in AlN under an electric field; (2) Thermoelectric energy conversion, using X-ray scattering and computational methods to explore heat conduction in hybrid perovskites and explain anomalies in GeTe; and (3) Quantum materials, where she investigated quasiparticle-phonon dynamics and topological excitations.
Meet your TMI Faculty: Alexander Marras
Dr. Alexander Marras earned his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, where he advanced structural DNA nanotechnology under Carlos Castro. His research, which garnered multiple awards including the Best Poster Award at the Foundations of Nanoscience conference, laid the groundwork for rapid DNA-based mechanical mechanisms. After his Ph.D., Marras conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory, focusing on polymer assembly, nanomaterial characterization, and COVID-19 vaccine studies.
In August 2022, he joined The University of Texas at Austin as an Assistant Professor in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Texas Materials Institute, where his research group explores biomolecular self-assembly, DNA-based sensors, and smart biohybrid materials.
What did you do before your current position?
I was a postdoc at University of Chicago in Molecular Engineering working in Matt Tirrell's lab. I also had a courtesy appointment at Argonne National Lab and did some part-time consulting in industry during that time.
What motivated you to become involved in Materials Science Engineering?
As an undergraduate student, I was fascinated to learn that you could use DNA as an engineering material to assemble custom shapes and devices at the nanoscale. This led to my graduate education in DNA nanotechnology, which eventually expanded to include other programmable soft materials too. I'm still fascinated by the things we make in the lab and I'm excited to see our nanomaterials functioning for delivery applications and biophysical studies.
Describe the most memorable event or experience you’ve encountered in your career?
My first national conference has always been extremely memorable. It was the Foundations of Nanoscience (FNANO) conference, which is the preeminent conference in DNA nanotechnology. It was my 3rd year of PhD and my first time seeing other researchers from around the world doing the same kind of work I was doing. I had so many insightful conversations, met people whose work I had studied in great detail, won the best poster prize and had a ton of fun with my lab mates. I hadn't published yet so the prize was the first big accomplishment of my career. I also learned to ski on that trip thanks to a professor I was collaborating with and still see periodically, so that's always fun to look back on.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
I love hiking, concerts, watching sports, and spending time with my wife and two young children.
Upcoming Events & Announcements
Graduate School April Events
- Resume Clinic: September 9, 10 to 11 am - FAC 2.2138
- NSF Graduate Fellowship Workshop: September 16, 10 to 11 a.m. (VIRTUAL)
- Strategic First Year Planning for Doctoral Students: September 17, 11 am to 12 - FAC 2.134
- Postdoc Appreciation Week Research Symposium: September 18, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Career Storytelling for Graduate Students & Postdocs: September 24, 12:30 to 1:45 pm - FAC 2.142
Fall 2024 Academic Dates
- 12th Class Day: September 11
- Last day to add/drop class: September 11
- Tuition deadline: September 11
