Alex and Kyle gave the oral presentation in TMS 2025 (Las Vegas)!

Kyle Wade (former MS. Student): Microstructural and micro-mechanical characterization of isothermally heat-treated  Al6061 cold spray deposit

Alex Horvath (PhD student): A Large Hysteresis Behavior in CaFe₂As₂ Single Crystals via the Bauschinger Effect associated with Buckling-Induced Formation of Nanocrystalline Structure

Zhongyuan and Shuyang’s reunion in China for Shuyang’s marriage! Congratulation, Shuyang!

Shuyang’s collaboration paper was published at Physical Review B! Congratulations!

https://journals.aps.org/prb/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevB.111.054102

Title: Tuning the structure and superconductivity of SrNi2P2  by Rh substitution

Abstract: The compound SrNi2⁢P2 is unique among the ThCr2⁢Si2 class since it exhibits a temperature-induced transition upon cooling from an uncollapsed tetragonal (ucT) state to a one-third-collapsed orthorhombic (tcO) state where one out of every three P-rows bond across the Sr layers. This compound is also known for exhibiting bulk superconductivity below 1.4 K at ambient pressure. In this paper, we report on the effects of Rh substitution in Sr⁢(Ni1−⁢Rh)2⁢P2 on the structural and superconducting properties. We studied the variation of the nearest P-P distances as a function of the Rh fraction at room temperature, as well as its temperature dependence for selected compositions. We find that increasing the Rh fraction leads to a decrease in the transition temperature between the ucT and tcO states, until a full suppression of the tcO state for ≥0.166. The superconducting transition first remains nearly insensitive to the Rh fraction, and then it increases to 2.3 K after the tcO state is fully suppressed. These results are summarized in a phase diagram, built upon the characterization by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, resistance, magnetization, and specific heat measurements done on crystalline samples with varying Rh content. The relationship between band structure, crystal structure, and superconductivity is discussed based on previously reported band structure calculations on SrRh2⁢P2. Moreover, the effect of Rh fraction on the stress-induced structural transitions is also addressed by means of strain-stress studies done by uniaxial compression of single-crystalline micropillars of Sr⁢(Ni1−⁢Rh)2⁢P2.

Our research (Zhongyuan’s work) is highlighted in MSE news!

Professor Seok-Woo Lee’s Journey from Alchemy Dreams to Materials Science

Seok-Woo published a book that introduces Materials Science to high school students.

Seok-Woo Lee, “Make materials that changes the world! Materials Science!,” (2024) – This book introduces Materials Science and Engineering to high schoolers! [Book contents and preface] [IngramSpark] [Amazon] [Barnes&Noble]

This book offers students a concise overview of materials science, covering key topics such as: (1) the significance of materials science, (2) the cosmic origins of materials, (3) the internal structure of materials, (4) methods for analyzing material structures, (5) materials thermodynamics, (6) materials kinetics, (7) properties of materials, (8) different classes of materials, and (9) innovations in materials science.

Given the crucial role of new materials in advancing technology, materials science has become increasingly important. Understanding this field is essential for anyone interested in engineering. Materials scientists work to address major challenges like global warming and the energy crisis, and they contribute to the development of technologies such as spacecraft, artificial intelligence, quantum computers, electric vehicles, and supersonic planes. This book will help students grasp the fundamentals of materials science and understand how materials scientists develop new materials that drive technological progress.

 

 

Gyuho, the former group member, gave a wonderful department seminar at UConn MSE on 09/20/24. His presentation discussed his PhD research on ductile-to-brittle transition and its relation to his life. He also shared the lessons that he has learned as an engineer at the start-up company (Frore systems). I think that his presentation was one of the best (also funniest) department seminars ever for my past 10 years at UConn.

 

Zhongyuan’s carbon pillar work is published Nature Comm! Many congratulations on this great achievement!

This work reports the discovery of ultrahigh strength of nanoporous amorphous carbon nanopillars, which are fabricated through self-assembly, nanoimprinting, and carbonization processes. This material is easily scalable up to centimeter scale, providing a strong potential to develop advanced structure material across the wide length scale.

Zhongyuan Li, Ayush Bhardwaj, Jinlong He, Wenxin Zhang, Thomas T. Tran, Ying Li, Andrew McClung, Sravya Nuguri, James J. Watkins, Seok-Woo Lee, “Nanoporous amorphous carbon nanopillars with lightweight, near-theoretical strength, large fracture strain, and high damping capability,” Nature Communications 15, 8151 (2024)  [PDF.pdf][web]

[Explore Engineering (E2) 2024 Lecture for high school students]

Explore Engineering 2024 PPT Slide [PPT file]

Seok-Woo Lee, “Make a new material that changes the world,” (2024) [Working_Draft] – This is the book that introduces Materials Science and Engineering to high schoolers!

Seok-Woo gave the invited presentation at (1) Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University and (2) Mechanical Engineering at Yonsei University in South Korea.

The title of presentation was “Superelasticity of ThCr2Si2-structured Intermetallic Compounds via Lattice Collapse and Expansion”. This talk summarized our group’s 8 years research on ThCr2Si2-structured Intermetallic Compounds.

The presentation slides can be downloaded here.

Seok-Woo gave the invited talk at NanoKorea 2024!

The title of presentation was “Micro-tensile Behavior of Body-centered-cubic Metal Single Crystals at Cryogenic Temperatures.”