TMI Newsletter | February 2025
Featured News
A research team from The University of Texas at Austin studied battery degradation in wireless earbuds, discovering that components like Bluetooth antennas and microphones create temperature gradients that harm the battery. Their findings highlight the importance of designing batteries that can withstand real-world conditions and user habits to improve longevity.
Researchers have developed a biomass-based hydrogel system that converts natural materials, like food scraps and seashells, into efficient water-harvesting sorbents to pull drinkable water from the air, even in dry conditions. This scalable, biodegradable system requires minimal energy and offers a sustainable solution for water collection, with potential applications in off-grid communities and emergency relief.
Published by Cockrell School of Engineering.
Dr. Deji Akinwande, Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, has made a notable contribution to the field of semiconductor physics with his latest publication, “The quantum limits of contact resistance and ballistic transport in 2D transistors” in Nature Electronics.
Researchers developed an ultrasound technology that activates drugs at precise locations in the body, improving treatment accuracy and effectiveness. This non-invasive method could enhance therapies for neurological conditions, cancer, and chronic pain while reducing side effects.
Chen Liu, Andrei Dolocan, Zehao Cui, and Arumugam Manthiram have made significant progress in improving the fast-charging capabilities of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which are crucial for devices like smartphones and electric vehicles.
Dr. Zachariah A. Page has been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for his groundbreaking research in chemistry and materials science. This prestigious honor recognizes his potential for leadership and innovation in his field, with his work expected to have a lasting impact on scientific and technological advancements.
Texas engineers are revolutionizing energy storage with advanced solid-state and lithium alternative batteries, addressing key challenges in efficiency and sustainability.
Published by The Texas Engineer.
Donglei Emma Fan Inducted as Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors
Dr. Donglei Emma Fan from the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute, has been inducted into the 2025 Class of Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors, a prestigious honor recognizing her significant contributions to innovation and technology. This designation acknowledges her commitment to advancing research, patents, and commercialization that positively impact society. As part of this elite network, Emma will join over 700 senior members and inspire future generations of inventors.
Fall 2025 Recruitment Highlights: February 5-8
We are excited to announce the winners of the 2025 MS&E Graduate Student Poster Session: Seth Reed for his work on the "Facile, Low-cost Synthesis of LiMnxFe1-xPO4 for High Energy Density Lithium-ion Batteries" in the Manthiram Lab; Callum Campbell for "Next Gen. Battery Materials: Towards All Solid-State Anode-Free Alkali Metal Batteries" in the Mitlin Lab; Aniket Marne for "Unraveling Active Stress Relaxation in Contractile Actin-Myosin Gels" in the Jose Alvarado Lab; Rohit Raj for "Ternary Potassium-Bismuth-Telluride Intermetallic Support Promotes Electrochemical Stability in Potassium Metal Anodes" in the Mitlin Lab; and Gavin Latham for his "Nanostructured Semiconductor Materials and Devices Group Poster" in the Xiuling Li Lab. Congratulations to all the winners!
Spring MSE 397 Seminar Series
Dr. Bozhi Tian, University of Chicago
Wednesday, March 05, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Dr. Bozhi Tian with a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Harvard and postdoctoral research in regenerative medicine at MIT, now conducts research at the University of Chicago focused on bioelectronics and bioelectrical systems. His work has earned prestigious awards, including the Raymond and Beverly Sackler International Prize, the PECASE, and recognition as an MIT TR35 Innovator in 2012.
Dr. Yat Li, University of California Santa Cruz
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Dr. Yat Li earned his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from The University of Hong Kong and conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University before joining the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he became a full professor. His research focuses on designing functional materials for catalysis, energy conversion, and storage, and he has been recognized with numerous awards, including being a Highly Cited Researcher since 2017 and serving on editorial boards of several prestigious scientific journals.
TMI Special Seminar Series
MS&E Student Spotlight: Kevin Matthews, Ph.D.
What’s something you are working on right now?
Currently, I am working on a complete cryogenic workflow for studying battery interfaces. Given the reactivity of many battery materials, and the presence of liquid electrolytes, these interfaces are very challenging to characterize by traditional methods. By freezing the cells and performing all subsequent processing and characterization at cryogenic temperatures, these issues can be mitigated. First, the intact coin cells are frozen in liquid nitrogen. Then, the cells are cross-sectioned using a triple argon ion-beam miller to reveal all layers of the cell (cathode, separator, anode). Then, the still frozen sample is transferred to a FIB-SEM where a TEM lamella is prepared via focused ion beam milling (FIB). The lamella is attached to a TEM grid and transferred to a special cryogenic TEM holder so that TEM imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) can be performed at cryogenic temperatures to reveal the nanoscale structure and composition of these interfaces.
What’s the best part of the project you’re working on now?
My favorite part of this project is capturing the images of these interfaces in their intrinsic state. Often, coin cells are disassembled to study the electrodes. By keeping the layers intact, we can “see” what is actually happening to the battery after cycling.
What advice would you give to future students that could see themselves going to graduate school and how to get there?
Find a research topic that you are passionate about and an advisor that will support you. Graduate school can be a grueling experience. There are many long days (sometimes long nights) and often research involves more failed experiments than successful ones. It can be easy to get stressed out and burned out. However, having a project you are passionate about and a research group / advisor that supports you will make it much easier. On a similar note, choose the research, not the university.
What are some of your goals for your work, future, grad school, etc?
In the near term, I intend to finish the current project I am working on and defend my PhD dissertation this summer. I then hope to find a role either in industry as a FIB/TEM operator or in academia as a staff scientist.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of school/work?
Outside of work, I enjoy weight lifting, video games, and watching shows with my wife.
TMI Distinguished Lectureship 2025
Dr. Esther Takeuchi
Upcoming Events & Announcements
Graduate School February Events
- Conversations with Graduate School Dean: March 05, 12pm to 1:15pm | MAI 101
- Masters & Doctoral Degree Candidate Workshop: March 13, 10 to 11 am | Virtual
- Resume Lab for Graduate Students & Postdocs: March 28, 2 to 3 pm | FAC 2.134
Spring 2025 Academic Dates
- Spring Break: March 17 - 22
- Payment for remaining tuition balances due by 11:59 p.m. CST: March 18
- Last class day: April 28
- Study days: April 29 & 30
- Final exams: May 1 - 3 & 5
