Varun Prasanna gains confidence, skills at CyPy

“A coding bootcamp is also a great way to build relationships with like-minded people of similar coding experience, so working together is great when you get stuck. The same idea can be applied to undergrad research, as learning something new is always beneficial, as you never know when you will need to use it,” Prasanna said. Read More

November 30, 2023

From industry to grad school: Katie O’Donnell found what she was looking for at Iowa State

“After getting my bachelor’s in MSE, I moved into industry, getting a job at a materials testing company. Near the end of my time there, we started to get additive manufactured parts more frequently, which piqued my interest and prompted me to return to grad school. When choosing grad schools, the MSE department at Iowa State specifically really caught my interest after I did a campus visit. Read More

November 15, 2023

Intelligent roadmap: Collaborative, cutting-edge methods to create new alloys 

Anson Marston Distinguished Professor Duane Johnson and professor Jun Cui have been working together for years, collaborating on finding solutions for real-world problems while improving materials and research processes. Read More

October 25, 2023

Iowa Cyber Hub enlists ‘Cybersecurity Ambassadors’ to help their communities

“I’ve always had a goal of every Iowan understanding basic cybersecurity. But there’s only one of me and 3 million of them,” said Doug Jacobson. Soon there will be many more cyber guardians like Jacobson in Iowa as a legion of trained volunteers help their communities learn cybersecurity. Read More

October 24, 2023

Belle Finney: Cutting-edge opportunities at a national lab 

"It was nice coming from a smaller college to a department in a larger university that still maintains the support and communication of a smaller college." Read More

October 19, 2023

Exceptional contributions: Mufit Akinc and Ick-Jhin Rick Yoon inducted into MSE Hall of Fame

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering inducted two new members to the Materials Science and Engineering Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 13 – honoring both for outstanding achievement and contributions to the discipline. Read More

October 16, 2023

Brad Swan is finding the right balance between classes, research and family

"The greatest challenge was finding the balance of time between classes, research and family so that I could succeed professionally while still being a devoted father and husband. I was fortunate to find Dr. Cornelius, and he understands the challenges as a father and as an atypical student." Read More

October 11, 2023

Brad Swan: Finding the right balance between classes, research and family

The greatest challenge was finding the balance of time between classes, research and family so that I could succeed professionally while still being a devoted father and husband. I was fortunate to find Dr. Cornelius, and he understands the challenges as a father and as an atypical student. Read More

October 5, 2023

Quantum mechanics and machine learning: Qi An is unlocking the secrets of strong and ductile materials 

Qi An focuses on using quantum mechanics and data-based computational methods to study materials science. In recent studies conducted by An and his team, significant progress was made in the field of ceramics. One of their works focused on improving the ductility of superhard materials. Normally, these materials have high strength but limited plasticity.  Read More

October 3, 2023

Shape-changing implants, bioprinted tissue and next-gen adhesives

Alina Kirillova, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, runs the Active Polymer Materials Lab with the goal of using polymer-based materials for biomedical applications. Read More

September 15, 2023

‘Broadband Prairie’ rural wireless project moves to public phase of researching, testing

The deployment of this infrastructure in and around Ames means the $16 million ARA Wireless Living Lab for Smart and Connected Rural Communities is moving to a public testing phase. Read More

September 5, 2023

Jun Cui and ChaoChao Pan get double win in R&D 100 awards

Cui, and graduate student Chaochao Pan, in conjunction with Ames National Laboratory, invented a continuous hot-roll process to manufacture nanograin neo magnets. It won in the mechanical/materials category and won bronze in the green tech category. Read More

August 25, 2023

Taimoor UI Islam is addressing the digital divide from Iowa to Pakistan

He has been working on all aspects of the ARA: designing, procurement, installation and connectivity along with all the other team members. This includes troubleshooting problems, working in the field with agriculture producers and monitoring all aspects of the project. Read More

August 8, 2023

Forty years of dedication, Martha Selby retires with outstanding educator award

That dedication to students over her career led to Selby being awarded the 2022 Michael Ashby Outstanding Materials Educator Award by the American Society for Engineering Education. The award recognizes distinguished and exceptional contributions in materials science and engineering education. It is intended to honor an individual with demonstrated notable leadership in the materials education area. Read More

August 1, 2023

Electric Power Research Center: Sixty years of aiding industry, preparing students, inventing solutions

The Electric Power Research Center began in 1963 as the Power Affiliates Program. Its mission was to “advance research and graduate education in electric power systems and strengthen industry ties.” Read More

June 23, 2023