materials science and engineering

Sep 18, 2024

NC State Joins National Energy Innovation Hub, Boosting Battery Research

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $62.5 million grant supporting a new energy research hub involving 15 research institutions, including North Carolina State University, to advance sustainable and economical electrochemical energy storage for electric grids. 

Jul 22, 2024

3D Printing of Light-Activated Hydrogel Actuators

3D-printed hydrogels create structures that contract when exposed to light and expand when the light is removed, meaning they can serve as remotely controlled actuators. 

Jun 10, 2024

Researchers Demonstrate New Way to ‘Squeeze’ Infrared Light

The thin-film membranes confine infrared light far better than bulk crystals, which are the established technology for infrared light confinement. 

Apr 24, 2024

Researchers Show It’s Possible to Teach Old Magnetic Cilia New Tricks

Researchers have demonstrated a technique for creating magnetic cilia that can be “reprogrammed” to change the motion of the cilia as needed. 

Feb 9, 2024

George Martell: A Journey of Service, Safety and Seamless IT

In the world of IT and safety, George Martell is a seasoned professional who brings a unique blend of perspective and experience to his role as the IT Manager and Safety Officer at NC State’s Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) department. Martell’s journey, both before and during his time at NC State, reveals a story of dedication, resilience, and a commitment to creating a seamless and secure environment for the university’s research community. 

Feb 7, 2024

Prof. Yin Liu Wins NSF CAREER Award for Research in Materials Science

North Carolina State University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering is excited to announce Assistant Professor Yin Liu has been awarded the esteemed National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award. This recognition comes as a testament to his innovative research in electronic and photonic materials and has far-reaching implications for the rapidly evolving fields of optics and nanotechnology. 

Jan 16, 2024

Modified Soft Material Promises Better Bioelectronics

The advance is an order-of-magnitude improvement in the ability of soft bioelectronic materials to function efficiently in biological environments. 

Sep 21, 2023

Material Would Allow Users to ‘Tune’ Windows to Block Targeted Wavelengths of Light

Users could switch windows to a mode that blocks infrared light, helping keep a building cool while leaving the windows transparent to visible light. 

Aug 14, 2023

Nanoscale Material Offers New Way to Control Fire

A molecule-thin protective layer controls how flame’s heat interacts with the underlying material. 

Jul 27, 2023

Researchers Grow High Quality Superconductor, Find Resilience Against Magnetic Fields

Researchers have demonstrated the ability to grow high-quality thin films of a recently discovered superconductor called potassium tantalate. 

Jul 25, 2023

New Robot Boosts Solar Energy Research

The robot conducts experiments more efficiently and sustainably to develop a range of new semiconductor materials. 

Jun 23, 2023

Quantum Computing Could Get Boost From Discovery of Q-Silicon

NC State researchers discover a distinct form of silicon that is ferromagnetic at room temperature. 

Mar 14, 2023

Technique Offers New Insight into How Materials Respond to Stresses

The work can be used to inform the development of everything from new electronic devices to high-performance textiles. 

Feb 27, 2023

Corralling Ions Improves Viability of Next Generation Solar Cells

The finding paves the way for a new generation of lighter, more flexible, and more efficient solar cell technologies suitable for practical use. 

Feb 9, 2023

Make Them Thin Enough, and Antiferroelectric Materials Become Ferroelectric

Researchers have now discovered a size threshold beyond which antiferroelectrics lose their properties, becoming ferroelectric.