TMI Newsletter | September 2024
Featured News
Dr. Yuanyue Liu from UT Austin and his former Ph.D. student Dr. Chenmu Zhang have developed a parameter-free method to accurately calculate electron transport in materials affected by surface scattering, a critical issue in applications like microelectronics. Their findings, published in ACS Nano, reveal that the (111) surface of copper is less conductive than the (001) surface due to electronic structure symmetry, challenging previous assumptions. This new approach offers improved predictive capabilities and insights into surface scattering's impact on conductivity, with broad implications for interconnect and sensor design.
The Yijin Liu group at UT Austin is joining the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Innovation Hub, led by Stanford and SLAC, to develop next-generation aqueous batteries for large-scale energy storage. The group's expertise in novel materials and architecture design will contribute to the Aqueous Battery Consortium's goal of creating safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly storage solutions for renewable energy grids. This collaboration highlights UT Austin’s commitment to energy innovation and sustainability, with the potential to revolutionize energy storage technology.
At the 2024 Societa Chimica Italiana (SCI) National Congress, Professor Arumugam Manthiram from UT Austin delivered a plenary talk on the future of sustainable energy storage. He emphasized the need for cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternatives to current lithium-ion batteries, calling for a transition to battery chemistries using abundant elements like iron, manganese, sulfur, and sodium. His address outlined the challenges and potential of next-generation storage technologies, offering a visionary roadmap for advancing clean energy systems.
Dr. Tanya Hutter and her team at UT Austin, funded by the NIH, have made significant strides in alcohol research by examining ethanol's metabolic pathways in the brain. Their study, using in vivo microdialysis in rats, revealed that acetate appears at low ethanol intake levels, challenging previous assumptions about alcohol metabolism. This research provides new insights into how alcohol affects brain chemistry, with implications for future studies on alcohol's neurochemical impact.
Professor Manthiram Honored with 2024 IBA Yeager Award for Lifetime Achievement
Professor Arumugam Manthiram of the University of Texas at Austin has been awarded the prestigious Yeager Award for Lifetime Achievement at the International Battery Materials Association (IBA) Meeting held in Halifax, Canada, on September 11, 2024. Manthiram delivered a plenary talk titled "Pushing the Energy-density and Stability Limits of Lithium-ion Batteries," highlighting cutting-edge research aimed at improving the performance of lithium-ion batteries.
His talk focused on increasing the energy density of batteries while reducing costs by using layered oxide cathodes with high nickel content. However, raising nickel content above 80% presents challenges such as decreased cycle life and thermal stability. Manthiram discussed innovative solutions, such as doping high-nickel cathodes with various elements like cobalt, manganese, and aluminum, to enhance battery performance. He also emphasized the need for improved surface stability in cathodes and more robust electrolytes to mitigate safety risks and extend battery life.
The presentation included insights gained from advanced analytical techniques, aiming to push the boundaries of lithium-ion battery technology.
Get to Know our MS&E Students: Robert Contreras
Robert Contreras is a highly motivated first generation individual studying material science and engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He is looking to obtain industry experience to enhance his skill set and explore his interest as a an Material Sciences Engineer. He joined Dr. Jamie Warner's lab this Fall 2024!
What's something you are working on right now?
Right now, I'm taking lots of classes and completing trainings. I'm starting a semi-conductor project so that includes reading papers, training on different machines like XRD, TEM, SEM, AFM. Between that and my classes, it's been pretty busy.
What's the best part about the project you're working on now?
The project I'm working on now is kind of a blur because it is very different than what I normally work on. The coolest thing is that I am funded by called Tokyo Electron and the best part is being able to every two weeks go to the headquarters, meet with them and managers, everyone working so hopefully when I graduate and everything works out I can get a job with them so that would probably be the best part!
What advice would you give to future students that could see themselves going to graduate school and how to get there?
Number 1 thing is when you are doing your undergraduate and you know where you want to go to graduate school. I would recommend doing research because then you can make the connections at that school with whatever professor you are doing research with that can really help you when applying. For example, I did my undergraduate somewhere else and then I did research at UT three years ago and that helped me build connections and kept in contact who then gave me a letter of recommendation that then helped me get in. That would definitely be my biggest piece of advice to anyone wanting to go to grad school.
What are some of your goals for your work, future, grad school, etc?
I want to publish a few papers for sure, learn a lot more about material sciences. I did mechanical and it started to become a little boring based on the internships in that field I had previously so I wanted to try something else and material sciences has been a lot more fun and different and has a lot more fields and options. After I graduate, I never wanted to be super high in academia or be a professor so if I were to go into that space, I'd be a high school principal. If I can somehow make that work without teaching I'd love that but really I want to work at a company I pretty much see myself doing that after graduation.
Fall 2024 MSE 397 Seminar Series
Dr. Mauricio Terrones
Pennsylvania State University
October 02, 2024
2P - 3P
Dr. Stacy Copp
UC Irvine
October 09, 2024
2P - 3P
Dr. Vladan Stevanovic
Colorado School of Mines
October 16, 2024
2P - 3P
Dr. Anabella Selloni
Princeton University
October 23, 2024
2P - 3P
Dr. Likun Zhu
Purdue University
October 30, 2024
2P - 3P
TMI Special Seminar
Discover your TMI Faculty: Dr. Jose Alvarado
Dr. Jose Alvarado's research focuses on biophysics, soft matter, fluid mechanics, and active matter, with a particular interest in the mechanical design principles of biological systems. His lab studies physical model systems that mimic living systems to uncover the complex mechanics involved in processes like cellular movement. This approach aims to not only understand the mechanics of living systems but also inspire novel engineering applications. The work integrates insights from both biological "hardware" and "software" to address challenges traditional mechanics struggle to explain. He joined MS&E's Graduate Studies Committee in Fall 2023!
What did you do before your current position?
I was a postdoc, working on fluid mechanics and robotics. This was a wonderful complement to my PhD in biophysics. However, I've also held other positions unrelated to research. Before my PhD, I worked half a year as an English teacher. And after high school, I worked full-time as a graphic designer!
What motivated you to become involved in Materials Science Engineering?
I'm amazed at how cells and humans are made of such soft materials, yet the mechanical acrobatics they are capable of consistently outperforms the best robots we can produce. Studying soft, active materials is not just inherently fascinating. I also see them as a necessary step in better understanding life itself.
Describe the most memorable event or experience you’ve encountered in your career?
I was an undergraduate student and received a lab tour in my second year. I remember seeing all this amazing equipment that was a lot fancier and cooler than what I got to use in my lab classes. Although I never truly enjoyed my lab classes, that moment really sparked an interest in me to do experimental work.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
I think it's extremely important for us researchers to routinely let go of our work and explore ourselves. In my free time, I like to do endurance sports, such asl swimming, running, cycling. I've raced several half-marathons and triathlons. My goals are to enjoy my surroundings rather than aim for a particular pace. I have also gotten into calligraphy, both with a nib as well as with a brush.
Upcoming Events & Announcements
Graduate School April Events
- Become Who You Are: Musa Murchison Keynote: October 3, 5 to 7 pm - FAC 2.236
- 24F TPS Student Well-being: How do I promote student mental health in my teaching?: October 08, 12 to 1:30 pm
- Resume Clinic: October 08, 3 to 4 pm - FAC 2.134
- Coffee and Connections for International Grad Students and Postdocs: October 08, 3 to 4 pm, FAC 2.236
- LinkedIn Clinic for Graduate Students & Postdocs: October 23, 11 am, FAC 2.134
