TMI Newsletter | Summer 2024
Featured News
Engineers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a new stretchable electronic skin (e-skin) that retains sensing accuracy even when stretched, unlike previous versions. This e-skin can be used in robotic hands to perform precise tasks, such as checking a patient's pulse or providing gentle care, addressing the global shortage of caregivers.
Dr. Maria Juenger delivered the 2024 Della Roy Lecture on "The Road to Sustainable Cement," emphasizing the importance of sustainable construction and her two decades of research on innovative green cement technologies. The lecture highlighted advancements in sustainable cements, such as calcium sulfoaluminate belite cements, and their role in achieving ambitious climate goals.
Dr. Li Shi was honored with the Yeram S. Touloukian Award at the 22nd Symposium on Thermophysical Properties in June 2024 for his significant contributions to understanding thermophysical properties in high-thermal conductivity materials and magnetic insulators. This prestigious award, funded by Purdue University, acknowledges his international prominence and profound impact on advancing scientific knowledge in materials science.
Professor Deji Akinwande has been awarded a grant from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to develop advanced quantum-coupled field-effect biosensors for rapid and cost-effective virus detection. His research aims to optimize biosensor sensitivity and establish a robust theoretical framework, promising significant breakthroughs in combating infectious diseases.
Arumugam Manthiram, a distinguished faculty member at UT Austin, was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in June 2024, recognizing his exceptional contributions to innovation and technology. This honor places him among an elite group of inventors whose work has significantly impacted society and the economy, further solidifying his legacy in mechanical engineering and materials science.
Dr. Donglei Emma Fan from UT's Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering delivered keynote and plenary talks at two international conferences, showcasing innovations in robotic materials for biomedical and environmental applications. Her presentations highlighted advancements from nanoscale manipulation tools to energy-efficient water treatment, underscoring her leadership in bridging robotics and nanotechnology.
Assistant Professor Yuanyue Liu and his team have published a significant paper in Chemical Reviews on advanced atomistic modeling methods for heterogeneous electrocatalysis, crucial for sustainable technologies. The paper, which will be featured on the journal's cover, highlights techniques for simulating complex electrocatalytic interfaces and integrating experimental validation, with implications for green hydrogen production.
Dr. Alexander Marras from the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and Texas Materials Engineering has been awarded a $1.9 million NIH R35 MIRA grant for his research on polyelectrolyte complex micelles (PCMs) for RNA delivery. The project aims to develop quantitative design rules for the structural properties, delivery capabilities, and dynamic behavior of PCMs to create tailored nanoparticles with predictive properties for specific treatments.
Congratulations to our MS&E Summer 2024 Graduates!
MS&E Student Spotlight: Pablo Vidal
Pablo Vidal is a current doctoral engineering student in their second year as a graduate research assistant under Dr. Nanshu Lu's lab. This summer the Institute of International Education announced Pablo as part of their 2024 QUAD Fellow class.
The QUAD fellowship sponsors exceptional master's and doctoral students to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Each QUAD fellow will receive a one-time stipend of $40,000 to be used for academic expenses as well as the access and opportunity to engage and network with accomplished minds in STEM, government, and society. This is in addition to his past fellow awards such as the Samsung fellowship he received last Spring 2024 and internal fellowships at UT Austin that have funded his education up until to now.
Pablo is a member of the Lu Research Group, where he is developing a robot that deposits biocompatible electronic inks directly onto the skin to create e-tattoos while simultaneously developing these inks to capture real-time physiological data from the skin.
"I have greatly enjoyed the interdisciplinary research within the Materials Science and Engineering program, accompanied by its intellectually outstanding students and faculty, who have introduced me to research beyond my own and made me a better materials scientist. The program has enhanced my development through the weekly seminars, class networking, and access to and training on the instrumentation in the TMI facilities, all of which have advanced my own research. Lastly, the great campus amenities and vibrant life in Austin have made attending school a very enjoyable experience."
Fall 2024 MSE 397 Seminar Series
Dr. Patrick Shamberger, Texas A&M University
August 28
Dr. Patrick Shamberger, an associate professor at Texas A&M University, focuses on developing advanced thermal storage materials and studying electro-thermal dynamics in neuromorphic devices. His research includes improving phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage by optimizing their thermal impedance and developing low-cost, efficient salt hydrate systems for building climate control. Previously, he worked as a materials research engineer at the Air Force Research Lab and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Washington.
Dr. Peng Bai, Washington University in St. Louis
September 04
Dr. Bai, a tenured Associate Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, investigates rechargeable metal anodes to enhance battery energy density while addressing dendrite formation issues in both liquid and solid electrolytes. His research uses operando microscopy and mathematical modeling to analyze transport limitations and critical current density related to dendrite formation. He holds a PhD from Tsinghua University, completed postdoctoral work at MIT, and has received several prestigious awards, including the NSF Career Award in 2021.
Dr. Nina Balke, North Carolina State University
September 11
Dr. Nina Balke, an Associate Professor at North Carolina State University, utilizes in situ and operando force-based atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate local electrochemical and electromechanical behaviors in energy storage materials. Her research focuses on probing ionic transport and charge storage mechanisms in electrochemical capacitors and battery materials, revealing insights into the electric double layer structure and local ion insertion dynamics.
Dr. Zhiting Tian, Cornell University
September 18
Dr. Zhiting Tian, an Associate Professor at Cornell University, explores thermal phonons and their role in microelectronics, thermoelectrics, and quantum materials. Her recent research includes advancements in interfacial thermal transport modeling, insights into thermal conductivity in hybrid perovskites and GeTe, and the development of theoretical models for phonon-magnon excitations and charge density wave transitions. Dr. Tian earned her Ph.D. from MIT and has received several prestigious awards, including the NSF CAREER Award.
Welcome Back Social
MS&E Alumni Showcase
Zhihan Chen started in the MS&E doctoral program in 2018 as Dr. Yuebing Zheng's graduate research assistant and recently graduated in Spring 2024 with their doctoral degree. He received his B.S. in materials science and engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2018. His research interests lie in bio-inspired optothermal microrobots, which has been applied for the investigation of collective motion in nature and the development of robots at micro- and nano-scale.
He was recently awarded the 2023 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China. He was awarded because during his doctoral career, he was a self-funded student not sponsored by his country, and has had relatively high-impact work during their study. The total impact factor of his first-author publication is over 100.
Please join us in congratulating Zhihan Chen!
Upcoming Events & Announcements
Fall 2024 Academic Dates
- First Class Day: August 26
- 12th Class Day: September 11
- Last day to apply for graduate degree: November 15
