Materials Science and Engineering

Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science Northwestern University SPRING 2013

Northwestern-Art Institute Partnership Expands With Mellon Grant CENTER WILL BE A NEW NATIONAL MODEL OF COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN THE ARTS

orthwestern has received a we are ready to build upon this solid $2.5 million grant from the foundation to offer our expertise to NAndrew W. Mellon Founda- others beyond our institutions.” tion to establish the Center for Faber and Francesca Casa- Scientific Studies in the Arts (NU- dio, the Andrew W. Mellon Senior ACCESS), expanding an innovative Conservation Scientist at the Art partnership between the University Institute, launched the museum- and the Art Institute of Chicago that academic partnership in 2004 with has led to unlocking secrets about Mellon support. many of the museum’s masterpieces Many of the partnership’s and developing new methods and remarkable discoveries over the technologies to investigate art. years have been woven into major Breaking new ground, the exhibitions at the Art Institute, in- conservation science partnership, cluding “Matisse: Radical Invention, funded over six years, will offer 1913-1917” in 2010 and “Watercol- its scientific tools and expertise to ors by Winslow Homer: The Color users from across the country. of Light” in 2008. In the United States, scientific The current show “Picasso research on cultural heritage objects and Chicago” (Feb. 20 to May 12) Kathy Faber (right) of the Department of Materials typically is conducted within the includes findings from a study of Science and Francesca Casadio of the Art Institute of boundaries of a specific museum or Modern bronze sculptures in which Chicago will co-direct the Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts. One piece of artwork already studied cultural institution, with only a few Northwestern and Art Institute through the NU-AIC collaboration was “Head of a dozen such institutions equipped researchers traced some of Picasso’s Woman (Fernande)” by Pablo Picasso (at left). with the necessary tools and exper- unmarked sculptures to the tise nationally. Valsuani foundry in Paris, based and scholars in training will meet ter, we will have a chance to enhance “I am thrilled that what we on material evidence. and engage in mutual learning with our understanding of the world’s have accomplished over the past The new center will serve as a scientists, conservators, and curators. shared cultural objects and preserve eight years has been recognized as collaborative hub, facilitating inter- Conservation scientists in and them for future generations. valuable,” said Katherine T. Faber, a disciplinary research partnerships outside Chicago have learned about “This landmark initiative Walter P. Murphy Professor in mate- in art studies and conservation on a the partnership’s work through the represents a tectonic shift from rials science and engineering. “Now, national scale. Academic researchers Art Institute’s exhibitions as well the isolated museum scientist to a as academic papers and seminars. dynamic hub that will serve as incu- They have been eager to have the bator of new ideas and significantly SAVE THE DATES opportunity to study their own accelerate the rate of discoveries by Annual Hilliard Symposium and Alumni Celebration treasures, using the latest science providing the latest technological Thursday, May 16 and engineering tools offered by innovations brewing in the aca- Weertman Festival to Honor Hans and Julia Weertman Northwestern and the Art Institute. demic environment,” she said. “Art and technology are prime Friday, October 4 Casadio and Faber will be co- material evidence of humanity’s directors of the Center for Scientific See page 2 for more information. accomplishment,” Casadio said. “By Studies in the Arts, which will be bringing the two together in this cen- continued on page 5 Letter from the Chair New Geometries: Researchers Create New Shapes pring quarter finds research opportunities to museums of Artificial Microcompartments around the country. Katherine Faber the materials science AS IN NATURE, VARIOUS SHAPES COULD BE MORE EFFICIENT FOR SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS Sdepartment as busy will co-direct the center. as ever. Looking through Meanwhile, our enrollments the pages of this newsletter have increased at both the graduate The research was conducted by three McCormick faculty members: and undergraduate levels. Research Olvera de la Cruz; Michael J. Bedzyk, professor of materials science and you will find that 2012-13 activity also remains high and we engineering and (by courtesy) physics and astronomy; and Samuel I. has been an exciting year. continue to publish exciting work. Stupp, Board of Trustees Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, And there is more to come. In addition, we are developing new Chemistry, and Medicine. In September, President opportunities for students to be A paper about the research, “Molecular Crystallization Controlled Morton Shapiro announced that involved in materials innovation by pH Regulates Mesoscopic Membrane Morphology,” was published the University and the National through our soon-to-be available November 27 in the journal ACS Nano. Institute for Materials Science in Battery Lab (“BatLab”), the first Other authors of the paper include lead co-authors Cheuk-Yui Leung, Liam C. Palmer, and Bao Fu Qiao; Sumit Kewalramani, Rastko Japan would launch a joint research component of a planned Energy Sknepnek, Christina J. Newcomb, and Megan A. Greenfield, all of center to address global materials- Materials Lab. Northwestern; and Graziano Vernizzi of Siena College. related challenges in energy, I hope you will join us for our environment, health, and security. second annual Alumni Celebration Co-directed by Robert Chang, the on Thursday, May 16. The day will Michael J. Bedzyk center will enable our department begin with the Hilliard Symposium, to tackle new and exciting chal- which will feature graduate student when the Weertman Festival will “We are developing lenges in these important areas. posters and presentations, as well honor Hans and Julia Weertman. Shortly after New Years, North- as a keynote address by alum Todd Please join us for lively new opportunities for western announced another exciting Steyer, manager of extreme envi- discussions, an update on research students to be involved A simulation shows the edges of a polyhedra-shaped micro compartment collaboration, this time with the ronment materials at The Boeing by our students, and a great in materials innovation are fluid-like bilayers. Electron microscopy and x-ray scattering were used to image the multi-length scale structure. Art Institute of Chicago. For several Company. In the evening, we will opportunity to connect with old through our soon-to-be years, our institutions have partnered celebrate alumni, student, and fac- friends and new acquaintances. available Battery Lab n nature, biological functions are often carried out in in a groundbreaking program that ulty accomplishments at the second I hope to see you in May! (‘BatLab’), the first applies materials science character- Alumni Celebration Banquet. You tiny protective shells known as microcompartments, Michael J. Bedzyk component of a planned structures that provide homes to enzymes that ization to the field of conservation can read more about the alumni Chair, Department of Materials I Energy Materials Lab.” science. Now, thanks to a sizeable honorees on page 7. Science and Engineering convert carbon dioxide into energy in plant cells and grant from the Andrew W. Mellon In the meantime, please save Michael J. Bedzyk to viruses that replicate once they enter the cell. Foundation, the new Center for Sci- another date: Friday, October 4, Most of these shells buckle into an icosahedron shape, forming 20 entific Studies in the Arts will offer 2013 — Homecoming Weekend — sides that allow for high interface with their surroundings. But some shells — such as those found in the single-celled Archaea or simple, salt-loving organisms called halophiles —break into triangles, squares, Tresa M. Pollock, Alcoa Professor of Materials at the University of California or non-symmetrical geometries. While these alternate geometries at Santa Barbara, with Michael J. Bedzyk (left) and Peter Voorhees at the may seem simple, they can be incredibly useful in biology, where low John E. Dorn Memorial Lecture on February 12. symmetry can translate to higher functionality. Department Announcements Researchers in the Department of Materials Science and 2013 MATERIALS SCIENCE LECTURES Engineering have recently developed a method to recreate these shapes This year’sMorris E. Fine Lecture, “Watching Microstructure Evolve in Three Dimensions,” was presented by Peter W. Voorhees, Frank C. “BATLAB” COMES TO MSE 2013 UPCOMING EVENTS: HILLIARD SYMPOSIUM, in artificial microcompartments created in the lab: by altering the acidity ALUMNI CELEBRATION, WEERTMAN FESTIVAL of their surroundings. The findings could lead to designed microreactors Engelhart Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, on January 8. Materials science students and faculty will soon have access to a new, that mimic the functions of these cell containers or deliver therapeutic Join the Department of Materials Science and Engineering for the The 2013Eshbach Lecture, “Electrocrystallization of Coatings state-of-the-art Battery Lab (“BatLab”). Located on the third floor of materials to cells at specific targeted locations. Annual Hilliard Symposium of graduate research on Thursday, May 16. for Orthopedic and Dental Implants,” was presented by Professor Cook Hall in a space that previously housed the ceramics lab, the lab will “If you want to design a very clever capsule, you don’t make a The keynote speaker will be Dr. Todd Steyer, manager of extreme Noam Eliaz of Tel-Aviv University, Israel, on January 15. Eliaz, who include a suite of desktop-sized equipment for the synthesis, processing, sphere. But perhaps you shouldn’t make an icosahedron, either,” said environmental materials at The Boeing Company. The symposium will be is from the School of Mechanical Engineering and the Materials and device fabrication, and device testing for batteries and related devices. Monica Olvera de la Cruz, Lawyer Taylor Professor of Materials Science Nanotechnologies Program at Tel-Aviv, is visiting the department and followed by the 2nd Alumni Celebration Banquet at the Hilton Orrington The new facility will streamline the hands-on experience of students and Engineering, Chemistry, and (by courtesy) Chemical and Biological teaching a course in corrosion. Hotel in downtown Evanston. Engineering at McCormick and one of the paper’s authors. “What we are exploring high-performance battery and capacitor materials. The BatLab The 2013John E. Dorn Memorial Lecture, “A New Tri-Beam will be the first component of a planned Energy Materials lab, which will And on Friday, October 4 — during Homecoming Weekend — the beginning to realize is maybe these lower symmetries are smarter.” To create the new shell geometries, the researchers co-assembled Tomography System: How Much Information is Enough?” was serve as a platform for student (graduate and undergraduate)-driven department will host the Weertman Festival in honor of Hans and oppositely charged lipids with variable degrees of ionization and presented by Tresa Pollack, Alcoa Professor of Materials at the innovation in the broad arena of materials related to energy. Julia Weertman, faculty emerita of materials science and engineering University of California, Santa Barbara, on February 12. at McCormick. externally modified the surrounding electrolyte. The resulting The BatLab is being funded by the generous contributions of alumni and geometries include fully faceted regular and irregular polyhedral, such The 2013Dow Lecture, “Electrical Properties in Polymer supporters. The department is seeking funding for the Energy Materials Please join us! Program and registration details will be sent via e-mail as square and triangular shapes, and mixed Janus-like vesicles with Nanocomposites,” was presented on February 26 by Karen I. Winey, lab at-large. If you or your company is interested in donating or becoming as they become available. Information will also be available on the faceted and curved domains that resembled cellular shapes and shapes of professor of materials science and engineering at the University a corporate sponsor, please contact Ben Porter, McCormick’s director of departmental website: www.matsci.northwestern.edu. halophilic organisms. of Pennsylvania. development, at (847) 467-5212 or [email protected].

2 3 New Structures Self-Assemble in Synchronized Dance NU-Art Institute Partnership continued APPLICATION OF FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES COULD BE IN MEDICINE, CHEMISTRY, AND ENGINEERING “As the first such initia- tive in the United States, ith self-assembly the center will inspire a new guiding the steps model for research partner- Wand synchroniza- ships between museums and tion providing the rhythm, a academia, and we are espe- new class of materials forms cially excited by the promise dynamic, moving structures of bringing museum profes- in an intricate dance. sionals, researchers, and stu- dents together to contribute Researchers from McCormick’s “For to be a Farmer’s Boy” by Winslow Homer original and groundbreaking materials science department and based physically at Northwestern. research to their respective fields,” the University of Illinois have The center will be staffed by a senior he said. “We remain exceedingly “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte - 1884” by Georges Seurat demonstrated tiny spheres that scientist and two postdoctoral grateful to the Mellon Foundation synchronize their movements fellows and will act as an umbrella Brief summaries of some of the groundbreaking as they self-assemble into a for the important scholarship made for all research and educational possible by their support of these discoveries resulting from the Northwestern-Art Institute spinning microtube. Such in- partnership follow: motion structures, a blending key partnerships and look forward “Head of a Woman (Fernande)” “For to be a Farmer’s Boy” by of mathematics and materials “I am thrilled that what to sharing our findings with the by Pablo Picasso. Findings from a Winslow Homer. Conservators science, could open a new class we have accomplished broadest audiences possible in the study analyzing the metal alloys discovered the painting’s white of technologies with applications coming years.” over the past eight years of Modern sculptures are part of skies were originally painted in in medicine, chemistry, and has been recognized as “The new center promises to engineering. “They are both magnetized, enhance research and education on the Art Institute’s current major unstable red and orange dyes that The results were published which causes them to attract each valuable. Now we are works of cultural heritage with new exhibition “Picasso and Chicago” have almost completely faded. Erik Luijten (above) and collaborators ready to build upon this (Feb. 20 to May 12). A research A team including Northwestern November 22 in Nature. other, but because they’re moving, have demonstrated Janus spheres that partners at museums and cultural “The world’s concept of they have to move in sync,” said Erik synchronize their movements as they solid foundation to offer institutions who would benefit from team determined that many of the chemists has been working to self-assembly has been to think of Luijten, professor of materials science self-assemble into a spinning microtube. our expertise to others the scientific tools and expertise museum’s Picasso sculptures are determine exactly what the static structures — something you and engineering and of applied made of high-zinc brass alloys, original colors were. The findings beyond our institutions.” we collectively offer,” Northwestern would see in a still image,” said mathematics at McCormick. He co- a fact that enabled them to trace were featured in the museum’s Katherine T. Faber Provost Daniel Linzer said. Steve Granick, Founder Professor led the research with Granick. the Janus spheres to synchronized “I have appreciated the many the works to the Valsuani foundry 2008 exhibition “Watercolors of Engineering at the U. of I. and Soon, the pairs and clusters self-assembly of other shapes and activities related to the conservation discoveries this highly productive in Paris. by Winslow Homer: The Color a co-leader of the study. “We want of dancing spheres assemble structures, allowing even more of Light.” science partnership. partnership in conservation science “Fernande,” on the other hand, has shape-shifting structures. Structures themselves into a microtube — a be encapsulated in the tube and applications. Interested parties from muse- has made possible and look forward a low-zinc bronze composition “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte where a photograph doesn’t tell you long, hollow structure. The entire transported to a different location. “Traditionally in self-assembly, ums and cultural institutions will to future findings as the collabora- that is more typical of sand-cast - 1884” by Georges Seurat. The what matters. It’s like the difference tube spins, even as each individual Then, the tube can be disintegrated, you make a specific building block be required to submit proposals tion expands its scope,” he said. between a photograph and a movie.” sphere continues its motion as releasing the cargo at a target point. that will organize into a specific sculptures, but the piece is unlike luminous yellow in this painting for merit review to The researchers used tiny well, like dancers in a line dance “We’re looking for the new structure,” Luijten said. “If you want a those cast at the Rudier foundry. began to change within years study objects in their particles called Janus spheres, named completing their individual steps applications that people haven’t different structure you have to make The search for its unknown of Seurat’s completing the own collections or after the Roman god with two faces, as the line moves. dreamt up yet because they didn’t a different building block. Here, with casting foundry is one of the masterpiece, but no one knew which Granick’s group developed “It’s spontaneous. We don’t perform object- open questions the new Center why. Scientists determined that and previously demonstrated for force it to form,” said U. of I. “Traditionally in self-assembly, you make a specific inspired research. for Scientific Studies in the Arts exposure to a humid climate self-assembly of static structures. In graduate student Jing Yan, the first building block that will organize into a specific structure. Faber and Casadio hopefully will be able to address and burning coal caused the expect three to five this study, one half of each sphere is author of the paper. “We saw that If you want a different structure you have to make a by extending the alloy study to a darkening of the zinc yellow coated with a magnetic metal. When during the self-assembly process, major projects and wider range of collections. pigment used by Seurat. dispersed in solution and exposed to the synchronization also happens. different building block. Here, with one building up to 10 minor “Bathers by a River” by Henri “Sketch of Margaret Sloane, a rotating magnetic field, each sphere If you look at the spheres, every block, we can control the structure by exploiting the projects to be car- Matisse. Researchers from Looking Right” by Mary Cassatt. spins in a gyroscopic motion. They one is doing a different thing. synchronization effect.” Erik Luijten ried out each year Northwestern’s Department A research team removed tiny spin at the same frequency but all Only when they come in close by researchers from of Electrical Engineering and colored flecks from this pastel face a different direction, like a group contact will they do something have the capability,” said Granick, a one building block, we can control inside and outside “Bathers by a River” by Henri Matisse Computer Science developed study and examined them using of dancers in a ballroom dancing to cooperatively. The two concepts are professor of materials science and the structure by exploiting the Northwestern and imaging technology to colorize a highly sensitive technique the same beat but performing their intricately related in this system.” engineering. synchronization effect.” the Art Institute. Linzer noted the partnership archival black-and-white called surface-enhanced Raman own steps. Now that the researchers have Next, the researchers are The U.S. Army Research Office, “The new center will be built on and its center address all four core photographs of early versions spectroscopy. The researchers As two particles approach one detailed the delicate choreography working to further understand the the Department of Energy and the solid foundation of collaborations areas of the University’s strategic of this painting. This provided were able to detect and identify another, they synchronize their of synchronization and self- properties governing synchronized the National Science Foundation between the Art Institute of Chicago plan: to discover creative solutions, insights into Matisse’s working organic pigments that could be motions and begin spinning around assembly, they hope to explore self-assembly and ways to guide supported this work. and Northwestern University that integrate learning and experience, applications for this new class of it for functionality, such as U. of I. research scientist methods and the coloristic matched to pastel sticks in Mary a shared center, facing opposite have long been nurtured by the connect our community, and engage directions, similar to the way a moving structures. One potential manipulating the structures with Sung Chul Bae and Northwestern development of this masterpiece Cassatt’s paint box. enlightened support of the Mellon with the world. couple dancing together falls in step application of a dynamic, self- an electrical or magnetic field. graduate student Moses Bloom are over time and was part of the Art Foundation,” said Douglas Druick, For more information on the looking at one another. assembled microtube is to transport They also plan to explore directing co-authors of the paper. Institute’s 2010 show “Matisse: president and Eloise W. Martin Di- Center for Scientific Studies in the and release cargo. A particle or Radical Invention, 1913-1917.” rector of the Art Institute of Chicago. collection of molecules could Arts, go to http://www.nuaccess. northwestern.edu.

4 5 The most challenging thing, I systems in which the macroscopic Department News Materials Science Alumni Awards would say, was finding a permanent physical properties (mechanical, ALUMNI CELEBRATION: THURSDAY, MAY 16 academic job back in the U.S. after electrical, thermal, etc.) are FACULTY NEWS Chad Mirkin Global Materials Research Center Established a long postdoctoral stay in Japan governed by grain boundaries or has been selected and Europe — although I should internal interfaces. Mike Bedzyk and John Torkelson t the 2013 Alumni Celebration on Thursday, to receive the say I had the greatest time during were named fellows of the American May 16, the Department of Materials Science 1) Describe how your 2013 Walston these early days of my career. experience in McCormick’s Association for the Advancement of will honor two outstanding alumni with the Chubb Award for A The experience and outlook in MSE department shaped or Science (AAAS). Distinguished Career Achievement Award for Alumni Innovation from life I gained during my stays in affected your career. Morris Fine was profiled in a recent Sigma Xi. of Materials Science and Engineering and the Early these international locations were I consider my experiences in TMS Materials Technology article. He Career Achievement Award for Alumni of Materials McCormick’s MSE department to be Monica Olvera simply irreplaceable. I think these was honored in March at a special the cornerstone of my professional de la Cruz has Science and Engineering. This year’s honorees spoke international stays gave me a much symposium at the TMS 2013 Annual career. The department maintained been elected to us about their McCormick experience and how it broader perspective and more liberal Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. a high standard for and appreciation to the Basic has helped shape their careers. approach to doing science as well as Mark Hersam living my life. of scientific rigor and elegance. Energy Advisory 2) What are some of your 4) What advice would you give Moreover, there was a high degree received the Committee of the most memorable classes/ to current MSE students about of mutual respect for the scientific Bette and Neison U.S. Department experiences/moments from to begin their careers? contributions of everyone in the Harris Chair of Energy. your McCormick MSE years? in Teaching Motivation and passion for doing department. These attributes are In October, David Seidman visited A couple classes still remain in Excellence things are most important. Identify hallmarks of a truly outstanding Tel Aviv University as Mortimer and memory. The stereology class I took beginning what is important for you early on organization. Raymond Sackler Lecturer. from the late Professor John Hilliard on September 1, 2012. He was Northwestern and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in and the elasticity course I took and pursue that. Don’t follow trends 2) What are some of your most memorable classes/ also named a 2012 Fellow of the Kenneth Shull will present a Japan have established a joint research center to address global materials- from Professor John Dundurs (in or what may appear to be rewarding experiences/moments from American Physical Society. weeklong series of lectures June for the time being. Make rational related challenges in energy, environment, health, and security. The center Pulckel M. Ajayan (PhD ’89) civil engineering) remain clearly in your McCormick MSE years? 17-21 as the 2013 Turner J. Alfrey decisions. Be honest to yourself. Jiaxing Huang has received the 2013 will be based at Northwestern and co-directed by R.P.H. Chang of the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood memory. Professor Laurie Marks (my Visiting Professor at the Michigan Think outside of the box. And from One of my most memorable Outstanding Young Manufacturing materials science department and alum Yoshio Aoki, director of NIMS’ Anderson Professor of Engineering, adviser — I was his second student Molecular Institute and will make my experience, I suggest traveling experiences was pulling an “all- Engineer Award from the Society External Collaboration Division. Pictured at the September 6 ceremony, Rice University officially, but the first to graduate) daylong site visits to Dow and Dow the world and working abroad (at nighter” doing research and grading of Manufacturing Engineers. In from left to right, are Aoki, Chang, Northwestern President Morton Distinguished Career Achievement was a great mentor, and I am obliged Corning the following week. least for a brief period) to develop lab reports for Professor Buckley Schapiro, and NIMS President Sukekatsu Ushioda. Award winner to him in many ways. His style, addition, Huang’s inspiration for a broader perspective both in your Crist’s X-ray diffraction course, Peter Voorhees approach to science, and even some crumpled graphene — crumpled Ajayan’s research interests include career development and personal life. and walking out to a stunningly has been chosen mannerisms (strangely enough) have paper in a trashcan — was cited by synthesis and structure-property And of course, don’t forget to enjoy vibrant coral-colored sunrise over as a fellow of Jiayan Luo (Huang) received a Ampika Bansiddhi (PhD ’09) and remained with me to date. Chemistry and Industry magazine as relations of nanostructures and life during your graduate life — this Lake Michigan. the Minerals, Graduate Student Gold Award and thesis adviser David Dunand were One thing I remember vividly an example of scientific creativity. materials science and applications is the best time of your life. My favorite classes were Metals and Jeff Doak (Wolverton) won a student awarded an excellent thesis award — is my first year in Chicago. It was so An article by Derk Joester’s group of nanomaterials. He is one of the Professor Peter Voorhees’ Materials Society presentation award at the Fall 2012 within the top 10 of 150 theses sub- biting cold (and remember, I had describing the role of growth pioneers in nanotechnology and thermodynamics and phase (TMS) class MRS meeting. mitted — by the National Research just come from India directly) that I factors in calcite crystal growth was specifically the field of carbon transformation classes, and I of 2013 for “seminal studies on the Council of Thailand. thought I would die for sure by the highlighted as an editor’s choice in Post-doctoral researcher James Saal nanotubes. He has published one still have an elusive dream of thermodynamics and kinetics of Mariana Bertoni (PhD ’07, Mason) end of winter. On the other hand, the November issue of Science. Post- (Wolverton) has received a Young book and 450 journal papers, many understanding thermodynamics phase transformations.” He was also Leader Award from TMS and will has accepted a position as assistant I developed some deep friendships doctoral fellow Regina Knapp was in high impact journals. as well as he does! named 2012 Teacher of the Year by attend the March meeting in San professor of electrical, computer, with fellow graduate students, which first author of the original article, 1) Describe how your 3) What have been your most the materials science department. Antonio. and energy engineering at Arizona remain strong to this day. which was published in the Journal experience in McCormick’s MSE memorable or proudest career State University. 3) What have been your of the American Chemical Society. Postdoctoral fellow Ivan Blum department shaped or affected moments? most memorable or proudest STUDENT NEWS (Seidman) won the $200 first-place Yongwoo Kwon (PhD ’08, Voorhees) your career. My proudest moments are when I Erik Luijten, graduate student career moments? Your most Beth Dickey (PhD ’97) prize in a poster competition orga- began a new position at Hongik Coming to the MSE department at hood my own PhD advisees during Wei Qu, and collaborators at A group of materials science under- challenging? Professor and director of graduate nized in December by the student University on March 1. Northwestern was a major milestone their graduation ceremonies. Johns Hopkins University have graduates won first prize in the I think I have been lucky to be at programs, Department of group Tomographers Anonymous; in my life. I was going abroad from 4) What advice would you give discovered how to control the shape ASM Materials Education Founda- Justin Scott (PhD ’11, Dunand) the right places (at the right times) Materials Science and Engineering; tion’s 2012 Undergraduate Design the competition was sponsored by India for the first time and I was to current MSE students about of nanoparticles that move DNA has joined TMS as technical project throughout my career. After my associate director, Analytical Competition for their project, Dow. Graduate student Anthony very anxious for various reasons. to begin their careers? through the body and have shown leader, leading the development of an graduate study I decided to go to Instrumentation Facility “TRIP-150 Blast Protection Alloy,” Johnson (Voorhees) won the $100 integrated approach to key TMS stra- MSE was very welcoming and I Persevere! that the shape of these carriers is key Japan to pursue a post-doctoral North Carolina State University in which they created a compu- second-place prize. tegic technology projects, including learned quickly that I could excel if to how they work. The study was fellowship at NEC Corporation in Early Career Achievement tational design for an improved integrated computational materials I worked hard. I had a great time in published in Advanced Materials and Tsukuba. This happened to be an Award winner blast-resistant steel. Team members ALUMNI NEWS engineering, advanced manufactur- the MSE department from several featured on a podcast by the National amazing choice, since within a few Ruilong Ma, Wisaruth Maethasith, ing, and energy materials. points of view — learning, research, Dickey joined NCSU’s Department Jennifer Andrew (BS ’02), assis- months of my arrival, our group Academy of Engineering. Ben Richardson, Eric Schwenker, relationships, and friendships. The of Materials Science and Engineering tant professor of materials science Boris Vuchic (PhD ’95, Marks) has (headed by Sumio Iijima) initiated Tobin Marks has been selected to and Zhibo Zhao completed the four years I spent there was perhaps in 2011. Prior to NCSU, she was a and engineering at the University generously provided funding toward the pioneering works on carbon receive the Gabor A. Somorjai Award project as part of their MatSci 390 the most significant time in my life professor of materials science and of Florida, received a 2012 NSF support of the new Battery Lab nanotubes, and I was fortunate for Creative Research in Catalysis coursework under the guidance of in terms of formulating my thoughts engineering and an associate director CAREER award to study “Structure- (BatLab), the first component of the enough to be part of some of those from the American Chemical Society Zack Feinberg (PhD ’12, Olson) and goals for my professional of the Materials Research Institute property relationships arising from Energy Materials Lab. early breakthroughs. Several of the (ACS). He will receive the award at and Greg Olson. The team received and personal life. I developed my at Penn State University. A primary interfacial coupling in bi-phasic early works on nanotubes, published the ACS meeting in April. an award at the ASM Leadership confidence and basic love for science focus of Dickey’s research is on ceramic nanocomposites.” in journals such as Nature, had a Awards Luncheon at the MS&T 12 there. My professional life clearly developing processing-structure- defining impact on my career and conference in Pittsburgh, Penn. took shape at Northwestern. property relationships for material were some of the proudest moments. 6 7 Best of Both Worlds: Hybrid Approach Sheds Light on Crystal Structure Solution

nderstanding the Key to the research was When computational and arrangement of atoms in integrating evidence about solids’ experimental research is combined, Ua solid — one of solids’ symmetry — the symmetrical however, those limitations can be fundamental properties — is vital arrangement of atoms within the overcome, the researchers found. to advanced materials research. crystal structure — into a promising In their research, the authors For decades, two camps of computational model. seized onto an important fact: researchers have been working to “We took the best of both that while the precise atomic develop methods to understand worlds,” said Chris Wolverton, arrangements for a given solid may these so-called crystal structures. professor of materials science Chris Wolverton be unknown, experiments have “Solution” methods, championed by and engineering and an expert in A paper describing the revealed the symmetries present experimental researchers, draw on computational materials science. research, “A Hybrid Computational- in tens of thousands of known data from diffraction experiments, “Computational materials scientists Experimental Approach for compounds. This database of while “prediction” methods of had developed a great optimization Automated Crystal Structure information is useful in solving the computational materials scientists algorithm, but it failed to take Solution,” was published November structures of new compounds. bypass experimental data altogether. into account some important facts 25 in Nature Materials. The researchers were able to While progress has been made, gathered by experimentalists. By While both computational and revise a useful model — known as computational scientists still cannot simply integrating that information experimental researchers have made the genetic algorithm, which mimics make crystal structure predictions into the algorithm, we can have a strides in determining the crystal the process of biological evolution — routinely. Now, drawing on both much fuller understanding of crystal structure of materials, their efforts to take those data into account. prediction and solution methods, structures.” have some limitations. Diffraction Bryce Meredig (PhD ’12) was McCormick researchers have The resulting algorithm could experiments are labor-intensive and the paper’s lead author. developed a new code to solve crystal allow researchers to understand the have high potential for human error, structures automatically and in cases structures of new compounds for while most existing computational where traditional experimental applications ranging from hydrogen approaches neglect potentially

methods struggle. storage to lithium-ion batteries. valuable experimental input.

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