College of Engineering News • Iowa State University

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.

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.”

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. 

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.

Goldwater winner Nicholas Oldham’s undergrad research experiences provide confidence to pursue passions

Nicholas Oldham, sophomore in materials engineering, was one of four Iowa State students to be chosen for the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship, which is the premier undergraduate scholarship in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering in the U.S. 

Paige Wogahn and Skyler Burke’s award-winning business idea: Lint rollers, but for broken glass

The sixth annual Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship college-by-college pitch off was held in March, and two Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) students won first place in the College of Engineering’s “new idea” competition.

MSE seniors Skyler Burke and Paige Wogahn started out by competing against other engineering students who created new products, winning first place for the College.

Innovation at Work: Nearly four decades of study filling 46 lab notebooks – all for better batteries

Steve Martin has seven plaques hanging above his office windows, each commemorating an invention or co-invention, each showing off the front page of an official U.S. patent.

As you’d expect, a patent is a technical document. Just browse those plaques in Martin’s Hoover Hall office, most of them related to new glassy materials…

Bridging the gaps for graduate students

Started in 2019, Graduates for Advancing Professional Skills (GAPS) is an opportunity for graduate students to close the gap between academic research skills and what their future employer expects. It was born from Jiang’s desire to better equip students with real-world soft skills.

Pitching plastics: innovation to entrepreneurship

Shan Jiang, associate professor in MSE, wanted a way to connect student’s innovation with entrepreneurship, all while remaining sustainable.

“You can teach a theory, but it is impossible to teach innovation,” Jiang said. “However, if you give students a problem they are engaged in, they will try their best, they will innovate on things they are passionate about. That is the challenge, combining what they learn in the classroom and using topics they are enthusiast about.”

MSE alumnus helps next generation of materials science engineers

Auliff always felt an affinity toward chemistry and physics, and after falling in love with the park-like atmosphere of Iowa State’s Central Campus on a visit during high school, he started evaluating different engineering departments. MSE was the ideal fit for him.

MSE student spends summer researching in Japan

This past summer Adam Eichhorn, who just started his senior year in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), was able to visit Japan as a part of a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) where he was able to gain valuable research experience before he moves on to graduate school.

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