2025 Newsletter
Message from the Chair
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the latest edition of the UNT Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MTSE) newsletter. We are thrilled to reconnect with our community to share updates, celebrate achievements, and outline our vision for the future. This newsletter reflects the vibrant spirit of our department and the remarkable contributions of our faculty, students, and partners.
Our department has grown to include 21 tenure-track/ tenured faculty and 10 research faculty, with continued faculty success. Notably, Dr. Xiao Li has received the prestigious NSF CAREER Award in 2024, recognizing her groundbreaking contributions to liquid crystal and soft materials research. This marks the fourth NSF CAREER awardee in our department. We have several faculty members who have received University Distinguished Research Professor, Regents Professor, as well as other society, university and college awards in recent years. You will find highlights of faculty recognitions in this newsletter.
The MTSE department remains an important contributing factor in the university’s Carnegie Tier 1 Research University status and a cornerstone of research excellence within the College of Engineering and UNT. Our faculty leads pioneering research in critical areas such as metallurgy and alloys, glass and ceramics, polymer and soft materials, nanoelectronics, energy storage, advanced manufacturing, and tribology, addressing fundamental and applied challenges that drive technological innovation. Our faculty heads several university-wide material-related research centers and institutes. These positions make UNT a leader in materials science research in Texas and across the nation.
Educating the next generation of material scientists and engineers is at the core of our mission. We are committed to providing high-quality education with hands-on research experiences, ensuring that nearly every undergraduate student gains practical experiences. Our capstone design projects continue to showcase student ingenuity with one team highlighted in the Dallas News earlier this year. Several of our students have received national fellowships and awards, indicating the quality and excellence of our students. We are delighted to announce the revitalization of our Industrial Advisory Board. Thanks to the dedication of our newest board members, we have gained input and important advice for our curriculum and industry interactions. My vision as the Chair of MTSE is to continue growing the MTSE department, with a particular focus on expanding our undergraduate and graduate programs and on growing our research excellence in strategic areas. We plan to expand our outreach and recruitment activities including building on the success of this year’s summer camps. Additionally, we are strengthening partnerships with community colleges to enhance access to our programs and build a diverse pipeline of talent. We plan to expand our collaborations with industry and national labs to address changing funding landscapes. Lastly, we would like to strengthen the connection with our alumni through the increase of presence in social media and presence in national materials-related conferences. Our overall goal is to provide high-quality education for our students, advance cutting-edge research, and solidify UNT’s position as a leader in materials science and engineering.
I invite you to explore this newsletter to learn more about our achievements, initiatives, and activities, as well as to connect with us or pay us a visit in Denton, Texas.
With warm regards,
Jincheng Du, Ph.D., FACerS, FASM Department Chair & University Distinguished Research Professor
Student Achievements
NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
Willow Knight
Willow earned her Bachelor of Science in materials science and engineering at the University of North Texas in 2023 and is continuing at UNT with her Ph.D. in the same field. Her doctoral research is focused on additive manufacturing and novel processing of shape memory alloys for forging and elastocaloric applications.
Ernest “Will” Cubitt II
Will earned his bachelors of science and masters of science from the University of North Texas before choosing to pursue his Ph.D. at Stanford University. His current research focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance industrial alloys.
Sydney Fields
2024
2024
Sydney is continuing her studies at UNT after completing her bachelor of science degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in Spring 2023. Her doctoral research concentrates on the study of additive manufacturing of titanium alloys for aerospace applications.
DOD NDSEG Fellowship
Jacob Goralczyk
Jacob recently completed his first year of doctoral studies at UNT after earning his Bachelor of Science in May 2024. His research focuses on developing machine-learning interatomic potentials to investigate stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement in stainless steels at the atomistic scale.
AEOP Research Fellowship
Christian Garcia
SMART Fellowship
Kelly Jacques
2025
Christian Garcia, a Ph.D. candidate, is making an impact through his work as an Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) Research Fellow. Since 2023, Garcia has conducted research at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, where he develops advanced ceramics and composites designed to perform in extreme environments. 2025
Dr. Kelly Jacques, the recent graduate from Berman’s group and a previous recipient of the SMART Scholarship Award recently joined the Army Research Laboratory where she will continue working with the Tribology Group to solve propulsion tribology issues. 2025
Student Awards
David Burke ’25 & Naomi Serrano ’25
ASM Houston Scholarship 2025
Seniors Caleb McCoy, Kenneth Sanders, and Natalia Vela
Presented “The Search for Better Elastocaloric Shape Memory Alloys for Near Room Temperature Cooling Devices”
First Place: Student Design Challenge
ASM 2024 International Conference on Shape Memory and Superelastic Technologies Cascais, Portugal
Ph.D. student Utsab Kafley Best Poster | Second Place IEEE MetroCon 2024 | Hurst, TX
Ph.D. student Wenqing Xie
Best Graduate Presentation
University Glass Conference
June 2024 | Alfred University Alfred, NY
Ph.D. student Devin Davis Best Poster
Light Materials Technical Division 2022
Student Organizations
Materials Advantage
Material Advantage (MA) is a dynamic student chapter at the University of North Texas that brings together future materials scientists, engineers, and STEM leaders. Established in 2009, UNT MA is dedicated to promoting materials science and engineering, fostering professional growth, and building a strong sense of community through outreach, networking, and hands-on engagement.
Recognitions & Engagement
• TMS National Chapter of Excellence 2022-2023
• TMS Most Outstanding Chapter 2020–21
• TMS Materials Bowl Champions 2017
• Social media growth: From 255 to 347 Instagram followers, with over 1,100+ reel views and 1,249 total interactions in 90 days
• Discord growth: Added 48 members for a total of 131, enhancing real-time community support and study help
Mission Highlights
• Inspire interest and creativity in materials science
• Connect students with professionals, alumni, and peers
• Support career development through workshops, guest speakers, and conferences
• Enhance community impact through service events, mentorship, and outreach
FY2024–2025 Chapter Achievements
• 5 general meetings, 12 officer meetings, and 3 hands-on workshops held
• 8 social activities, including glass etching, candle making, and themed gatherings
• 4 career/professional development events, such as resume workshops and study halls
• 9 students attended TMS 2025 in Las Vegas; 4 fully funded by MA
• 5 secured sponsorships from organizations including UNT Engineering and AIST
• Hosted 3 collaborative events with fellow engineering organizations
• Held technical tours of Reaper Games, Gerdau Steel Plant, and local labs
• Created a strong digital presence via social media, Bitly links, and a secure Discord server
Service & Outreach
• Volunteered for the UNT MTSE Summer Camp, Explorium Denton Museum, and college preview days
• Partnered with organizations like the National Marrow Donor Program for community drives
• Promoted MTSE at local colleges including Collin College and North Central Texas College
Material Advantage Chapter meeting 2024
Student Organizations
Materials Research Society
The MRS UNT Student Chapter is dedicated to supporting students engaged in materials-focused research through mentorship, professional development, and a strong sense of community. Open to students from all backgrounds and disciplines, the chapter fosters a welcoming environment for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of materials science and engineering.
Throughout the year, MRS hosts monthly guest speakers from academia and industry, offering guidance on graduate school preparation, dissertation writing, and career development. The chapter also actively shares opportunities for scholarships, fellowships, and internships to help students pursue their academic and professional goals.
A major highlight of the year was the 4th Annual MRS Poster Competition which was the chapter’s most successful to date. Since its launch in 2021, this spring tradition has provided a platform for UNT students to showcase their research and engage with the broader scientific community.
This year’s competition welcomed researchers from universities across North Texas. Students competed in six core categories: Functional materials, semiconductors, metals, additive manufacturing, biomaterials and polymers and ceramics.
The Electrochemical Society
The University of North Texas established its Electrochemical Society (ECS) Student Chapter in January 2025. This student-led organization aims to unite UNT’s electrochemistry-focused research community and foster interdisciplinary collaboration across departments.
The UNT-ECS Student Chapter is dedicated to student engagement through meaningful mentorship connections, pairing students with faculty whose research aligns with their academic and career aspirations. Looking ahead, the chapter plans to organize a series of invited talks featuring distinguished researchers from leading institutions, as well as seminars with industry professionals to provide career development guidance and promote university-industry collaborations. This initiative marks an exciting step forward in uniting UNT’s electrochemistry community and positioning students for impactful research and professional success.
Our newest student organization represents a significant step in strengthening electrochemical research, providing new opportunities for students to engage in meaningful scientific exchange and professional growth.
Students participate in the 4th Annual Poster Competition.
ECS President: Kevin Antony Jesu Durai, Vice President: Sainyam Sikka , Treasurer: Donald Ballew , Secretary: Javier Solis with their Advisor John Wang.
Annual Spring Cookout and Awards
To close out the Spring 2025 semester, the Materials Science & Engineering Department hosted one of its most beloved traditions: the department’s annual cookout and student awards celebration.
Students, faculty and staff gathered for a relaxed afternoon featuring food, ice cream and spirited activities, including soccer, karaoke and water balloon games. The event offered a fun and welcome break before finals, fostering community and connection across the department.
Dean Paul Krueger joined the celebration, where the department proudly recognized its 2024–25 student award recipients for their outstanding academic and leadership contributions.
Awardees
Outstanding Graduate Student | Khalil Omotosho
Outstanding Teaching Assistant | Alejandro Padilla González
Outstanding Graduate Research | Ali Zayaan Macknojia
Outstanding Graduate Outreach | Sydney Fields
Outstanding Graduate Leadership | Gerardo Gamboa II
Outstanding Senior | Jacob Spencer
Outstanding Junior | Ella Nicole Viray
Outstanding Early Undergraduate Involvement | Nathan Tran
Outstanding Early Undergraduate Academic | Xander Morgan
Alpha Sigma Nu inductees
David Burk
Sarah McDearis
Lucia Ruiz
Luisa Ruiz
Naomy Serrano
Jacob Spencer
2025 Senior Design Day
Undergraduate Research Experiences
Senior Design Day 2025 showcased the creativity, technical skill and collaborative spirit of our undergraduate students as they presented research posters on real-world engineering challenges. Hosted at UNT Discovery Park, the event brought together faculty, students and industry guests to explore the impact of student-led innovation.
Designing Ta/HfC-SiC Laminated Composites for Enhanced Toughness and Strength
Mesonma Anwasi, Noah Lilli, & Lucia Ruiz
Advisors: Dr. Samir Aouadi & Dr. Dwight Burford
Using Modified Biomass-Based Activated Carbon to Filtrate PFAS During Water Treatment
Chloe Dominique Jabel, Tommi Tran, Thomas Moore, & Naomy Lee Serrano
Advisors: Dr. Rick Reidy, Dr. Sheldon Shi, Dr. Jiyao Hu, & Dr. Xuan Wang
PACES: Porous Anodes for Capable Energy Storage — Porous Anode
Structures for Zinc-Air Battery Applications
Evann Bustamante, Sarah McDearis, & Benson Wheeler
Advisors: Dr. Wonbong Choi & Dr. Anil Pathak
Designing Chameleon Coatings for Aerospace Applications Using In-Situ Characterization Methods
David Burk, Julien Deckard, & Lucia Ruiz
Advisors: Dr. Diana Berman, Dr. Andrey Voevodin, Dr. Samir Aouadi, & Dr. Dwight Burford
Radially Graded Stainless Steel Bone Scaffold Material
Magdalena Cruz, Wesley Miller, & Jacob Spencer
Advisor: Dr. Sameehan Joshi
From aerospace coatings to sustainable energy storage, these projects reflected the interdisciplinary nature of materials science and engineering and the department’s commitment to solving global challenges.
Textbooks & Monographs
Atomistic Simulations of Glasses: Fundamentals and Applications
Jincheng Du | Chair and Distinguished Professor
A comprehensive reference covering atomistic simulation methods for inorganic glasses, the book discusses classical, first-principles and Monte Carlo methods, structural analysis techniques, property calculations, and practical applications in systems including silica, silicate, aluminosilicate, borosilicate, phosphate, halide and oxyhalide glasses.
Fundamental and Practical Aspects of Tribology
Diana Berman | Associate Professor
An exploration of key topics such as surface and fluid properties, mechanics of dry and lubricated contacts, tribological testing, characterization fundamentals and surface engineering strategies. The book also includes case studies demonstrating the application of tribology to engineering challenges.
Laser-Based Additive Manufacturing: Modeling, Simulation & Experiments
Narendra Dahotre | Regents Professor
The book describes the use of computational modeling and simulation to explore and describe the laser-based additive manufacturing (LAM) technique, to improve the compositional, phase and microstructural evolution of the material, and to enhance the mechanical, chemical and functional properties of the manufactured components.
Mechanical Behavior of Materials: Deformation & Design
Rajiv Mishra | Distinguished Professor
The first textbook to adopt a design-led approach to the teaching of mechanical behavior of materials in which the underlying fundamental science is presented in the context of mechanical design. This approach has been found to motivate and engage students through real-life case studies and illustrative applications.
Notable Articles
Rajarshi Banerjee | Regents Professor
“Underlying factors determining grain morphologies in high-strength titanium alloys processed by additive manufacturing”
Nature Communications | 2023, 14, 3288 | Supported by NSF
Diana Berman | Associate Professor
“2D materials for durable and sustainable electric vehicles”
Nature Reviews Materials | 2024, 9, 527-529 | Supported by NSF
Wonbong Choi | University Distinguished Research Professor
“Ion-Induced Phase Changes in 2D MoTe2 Films for Neuromorphic Synaptic Device Applications”
ACS Nano | 2025, 19, 2529–2539 | Supported by NSF
Narendra Dahotre | Regents Professor
“Thermo-mechanical process variables driven microstructure evolution during additive friction stir deposition of IN625”
Additive Manufacturing | 2024, 80, 103958 | Supported by State of Texas
Anupama Kaul | PACCAR Professor
“Intrinsic and Strain-Dependent Properties of Suspended WSe2 Crystallites toward Next-Generation Nanoelectronics and Quantum-Enabled Sensors”
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces | 2024, 16, 3640-3653 | Supported by AFOSR, NSF and DOE
Xiao Li | Assistant Professor
“Nucleation and Growth of Blue Phase 3D Cubic Structure Under Continuously Changing Curved Boundary Conditions”
Advanced Optical Materials | 2025, 13, 2402886 | Supported by NSF CAREER
Rajiv Mishra | Distinguished Professor
“Enhanced thermal stability in additive friction stir deposited ODS IN9052 Al alloy”
Acta Materialia | 2024, 279, 120284 | Supported by ARL
Vijay Vasudevan | Professor
“Process-Specific Design Strategy Enables Exceptional As-Deposited Strength-Ductility Synergy in Novel Al–Ce Alloys via Additive Friction Stir Deposition”
Journal of Materials Research and Technology | 2025, 35, 1889-1900 | Supported by DOE
Yufeng Zheng | Associate Professor
“Tuning α Microstructure via Post-Heat Treatments in Direct Energy Deposited Metastable β Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr Alloy and Its Impact on Mechanical Properties”
Additive Manufacturing | 2024, 93, 104436 | Supported by NSF CAREER
STEM HAADF imaging and XEDS mapping reveal nanoscale precipitates in a 3D-printed aerospace titanium alloy. Research from Prof. Yufeng Zheng, supported by NSF CAREER award.
Faculty Highlights
Jim Williams | Distinguished Research Professor
ASM International bestowed Honorary Membership upon Williams in October 2023, one of the society’s highest honors awarded annually to a leader in the field of metals research or production.
Narendra Dahotre | Regents Professor
Dahotre was the 2022 recipient of the TMS Bruce Chalmers Award for outstanding contributions to materials processing. Furthering his international standing, he was named the Aditya Birla Chair Professor at the Indian Institute of Science in November 2024. In this prestigious role, Dahotre led seminars, lectures and collaborations to strengthen industryinstitute ties and promote research in laser-based additive manufacturing.
Raj Banerjee | Regents Professor
Banerjee was selected as a 2023 ASM Fellow in recognition of his exemplary contributions to understanding phase transformations and structure-processing-property relationships in titanium alloys, nickel-based alloys and complex concentrated alloys.
Rajiv Mishra | Regents Professor
In 2024, Mishra was the recipient of the TMS MPMD Distinguished Scientist/ Engineer Award. He also started Optimus Alloys LLC, in January 2021, with the vision to commercialize a process-specific alloy design approach for additive manufacturing (AM).
Andrey Voevodin | Professor
Associate Dean of Research Voevodin was honored as the Society of Vacuum Coaters Fellow-Mentor Award recipient for 2025. This recognizes not only his research in adaptive coatings and next-generation semiconductors but his dedication to guiding and supporting his colleagues and students.
“Prof. Voevodin is a model of what the SVC Fellow-Mentor Award represents: a rare blend of visionary research, collaborative spirit, and a steadfast commitment to education and community.” ~ SVC
Faculty Highlights
Wonbong Choi | University Distinguished Research Professor
In 2022, Choi was honored as both a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and Distinguished University Professor. He founded ARK Power Technology Co., in 2018, to lead the next wave of innovation in advanced rechargeable battery technologies. Under his leadership, ARK, a semifinalist at the 2024 Texas A&M New Ventures Competition, has emerged as a front-runner in next-generation lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery development. The company has pioneered breakthroughs in protective anode coatings, high-performance electrode architectures, and solid-state electrolytes, all aimed at enhancing energy density while eliminating safety hazards commonly associated with traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Xiao Li | Assistant Professor
The National Science Foundation awarded Li as one of the 2024 recipients of the CAREER Award for her research and educational project titled “Liquid Crystal-Templated Sequential Infiltration Synthesis of Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Materials with Multidimensional Chiral Structures.” She also earned NSF-CBET funding for a collaborative project titled “Topological Defects and Dynamic Motion of Symmetry-Breaking Tadpole Particles in Liquid Crystal Medium.”
Yufeng Zheng | Associate Professor
In 2022, Zheng earned the Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation. In 2023, he was named an NSF EPSCoR Research Fellow and received the TMS Materials Processing & Manufacturing Division (MPMD) Young Leaders Professional Development Award from TMS, recognizing his contributions to materials science and engineering. Zheng is currently leading a project as part of the NSF’s DMREF program, which encourages data-driven and computational approaches to materials design.
Vijay Vasudevan | Professor
Vasudevan received the Indian Institute of Metals Non-Ferrous Best Paper Medal at the IIM Annual Technical Meeting in November 2023 for his research on the formation of Laves phases in advanced alloys. Additionally, he secured a $1.08 million research award from the Department of Energy Office of Science’s RENEW program to support underrepresented minority students in advancing materials and manufacturing for fusion power.
Diana Berman | Associate Professor
In 2024, Berman received a Fulbright Scholarship to collaborate with researchers at Tel Aviv University. Her project focuses on understanding material interactions at sliding interfaces and exploring how novel two-dimensional materials can reduce friction and wear. Based on this work, Berman and her colleagues secured a joint grant through the NSF-BSF program.
Welcome New Faculty
Distinguished Research Professor | Anil Sachdev
The department added a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, in Spring 2025, as a Distinguished Research Professor (part-time). Sachdev earned his doctorate in materials science and engineering from MIT. He previously served as a GM Principal Technical Fellow and group manager at the Advanced Alloys, Chemical and Materials Systems Laboratory of GM R&D. Sachdev is widely recognized for his work in microstructure design, high-strength steels, metal-matrix composites and lightweight materials for automotive applications. His recent research has focused on alloys for additive manufacturing and lithium metal processing for high-energy batteries.
Ruocun Wang | Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor Ruocun (John) Wang joined the department, in Fall 2024, from the A. J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute at Drexel University, where he was a research associate. Wang earned his B.S. from Purdue University and his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University, both in materials science and engineering. His research explores the synthesis, characterization and application of transition metal oxides and two-dimensional transition metal carbides (MXenes) for electrochemical energy storage.
Associate Professor | Yufeng Zheng
Associate Professor Zheng was welcomed to the Materials Science & Engineering Department, in the Fall of 2023. Prior to joining UNT, he served as an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. He earned his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from The Ohio State University. Zheng’s research investigates the role of nanostructures in phase transformation and deformation behavior in metals and alloys, with a focus on advanced electron microscopy. He is a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award and an NSF EPSCoR Research Fellowship.
Sameehan Joshi | Assistant Professor
Joshi returned to the department, in Fall 2023, as an Assistant Professor, previously earning a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering in 2017. His doctoral thesis focused on laser-processed structural materials. Prior to his Ph.D., Joshi graduated with a M.S. in materials engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and a B.S. in metallurgical engineering from the College of Engineering Pune. His research centers on additive manufacturing of structural materials using experimental and computational methods. He brings industry experience in laser and binder-based additive manufacturing and has co-authored a book, three book chapters and more than 50 journal articles.
Jessica Rimsza, Ph.D. | 2016
Principal Member of Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories
My time at UNT gave me the technical foundation and collaborative mindset I rely on every day. While working with Dr. Jincheng Du, I studied how the structure of complex oxide materials like glasses influences their properties. That work shaped how I approach materials science and opened doors to a broader world of research.
Through UNT, I spent summers at universities in Paris and Chengdu, building international collaborations that continue to benefit my career. I’ve since expanded my work to include minerals, cements, functional materials and liquids— everything tied together by disordered structures.
At Sandia National Laboratories, I’ve worked on nuclear waste disposal and carbon capture materials. One of my most surprising discoveries was detecting hidden fluorine atoms in a gas separation framework—proof that even wellknown materials still have secrets.
Sivanesh Palanivel, Ph.D. | 2016
Materials can always surprise you, no matter how well you think you understand them.
Senior Manager, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Tesla
At UNT, I learned to break down complex problems and reason from first principles—skills that have shaped every step of my career. Under Dr. Rajiv Mishra, I developed a systems-thinking mindset and the ability to drive solutions from concept to implementation.
Today, I lead a team of materials and manufacturing engineers at Tesla. We’ve developed innovations like gigacastings and new induction motor materials that are helping to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.
The foundation I gained from the Materials Science and Engineering Department taught me how to think critically, collaborate effectively and lead transformational projects at scale. Those lessons still guide me today.
To young engineers, my advice is simple: embrace discomfort, take ownership and seek feedback early and often.
Research Centers Update
New Research Center | CMEE
The Center for Microelectronics in Extreme Environments (CMEE) at UNT was established to advance its role in Texas’ semiconductor research and workforce development. A new master’s program in semiconductor manufacturing is in the final stages of approval. The program will offer pathways for students in materials science, electrical and mechanical engineering, physics and chemistry. It includes core lab courses, electives and micro-credentials, with Grad Track options to accelerate graduate study.
CMEE focuses on wide-bandgap semiconductors for highpower, high-frequency electronics, with an emphasis on materials such as diamonds. The center supports Department of Defense priorities including RF systems, sensors and secure communications. Research efforts are being strengthened through cleanroom upgrades, expanded faculty collaboration, and integration with UNT’s Materials Research Facility. Strategic partnerships with the Texoma Semiconductor Hub, TSIC and the Texas Institute of Electronics have secured $2.5 million in external funding, supporting eight U.S. graduate students annually.
By enhancing UNT’s research infrastructure and contributing to a globally competitive semiconductor workforce, CMEE is playing a vital role in strengthening Texas’ innovation ecosystem.
MRF
From the atomic to macro length scales, the UNT Materials Research Facility (MRF) is one of the most advanced university research facilities in the nation for materials analysis. In 2024, MRF received a portion of the recent Texas University Funds (TUF) for the upgradation and enhancement of aging electron microscopes. This has led to the purchase of four new electron microscopes in MRF; Quattro S Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM), Helios PFIB CXe Cryo Plasma Focused Ion Beam Microscope (PFIB), Apreo 2S LoVac Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Talos F200X G2 Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), all from Thermo Fisher Scientific.
With the acquisition of these four new microscopes, MRF has become the ONLY microscopy center in the state of Texas with a unique research and teaching capability in multi-scale materials characterization, particularly on 3D Imaging, Visualization and Analysis (UNT 3D). These unique microscopes enable multi-disciplinary research on structural materials, functional materials and biomedical materials from UNT’s Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Visual Arts and Design, and will directly impact strategic UNT initiatives and state/federally funded programs related to aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing (CHIPS-related programs) and advanced/additive Manufacturing (CAAAM).
These acquisitions will enhance the education, training and workforce development mission of MRF. By providing two specific electron microscopes, Quanta ESEM and Tecnai G2 F20 TEM to be retired, MRF can offer valuable hands-on experience in SEM and TEM to the undergraduate and graduate students at UNT. This can significantly strengthen the electron microscopy teaching capability of MRF and MTSE, and train the next generation workforce for the semiconductor, aerospace and energy industries. This new equipment will be used by 100 – 125 users at UNT, as well as training at least 50 users every year.
Materials Science & Engineering graduate student Jason Summers monitors a experiment in the Physical Vapor Deposition system used for growing semiconductor thin films.
MTSE graduate students, Deepak Pillai and Sydney Fields, operating the recently acquired and installed Thermo Fisher Scientific Helios Plasma FIB at MRF.
Research Centers Update
CAAAM
Supported by the State of Texas, the Center for Agile and Adaptive Additive Manufacturing (CAAAM) at UNT is a world premier research center on additive and advanced manufacturing. Recently, CAAAM expanded its capabilities with new state-of-the-art equipment, including a high-resolution X-ray CT scanner, scanning electron microscope and advanced indentation tools.
CAAAM supported a growing research team of 20 graduate students, eight postdoctoral researchers and multiple affiliate faculty members. Their work focused on next-generation materials for extreme environments—including refractory alloys, high entropy alloys and magnetic materials—for use in hypersonics, fusion energy and electromagnetic devices. Artificial intelligence and machine learning were further integrated into research processes. The center secured $3.5 million in external funding through research proposals.
On April 22–23, 2025, CAAAM hosted its third annual workshop, which brought together researchers and professionals from ASTM International, the National Science Foundation, academia and industry. The event featured technical presentations, collaborative discussions and a guided tour of CAAAM’s advanced research facilities.
AMMPI
Dr. Marcus Young stepped in as the Director of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Processes Institute (AMMPI) in 2024, after the founder and former director Prof. Rajiv Mishra decided to focus on his research, teaching and newly founded company. Under the leadership of Young, AMMPI expanded its processing capabilities with the addition of a waterjet cutting machine and Meltio 3D metal jet printer and updated the electrical discharge and X-ray microscopy machines.
Looking towards the future of the center, leadership plans to utilize a $2.6M ARO DURIP grant for a new X-ray facility designed to advance flexible ultra-high temperature ceramics and shape memory alloys capable of shape morphing for hypersonic and aerospace applications and beyond. Research emphasizes in-situ X-ray diagnostics and thermomechanical testing under extreme temperature conditions.
AMMPI in conjunction with Transvalor Americas Corporation support a FIERF Forge the Future Summer Camp with 23 students in 2025. This camp focuses on encouraging early involvement in STEAM fields.
In fiscal year 2024, AMMPI researchers submitted 109 proposals fo r $54.9M to 80 federal and 29 non-federal sources. As a result of these proposal submissions, $9.8M was awarded.
Materials Science & Engineering students Saikumar Dussa and Abdul Muddassir Mohammed working on the OPTOMEC LENS CS-250.
Christian Garcia observes Jonathan Rodriguez on the Zeiss CrystalCT X-ray microscope.
Seminars & Outreach
Materials Science & Engineering Seminar Series
Throughout the academic year, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering hosts a seminar series featuring distinguished guests who present a wide range of topics relevant to the field.
In Spring 2025, as part of the College’s Distinguished Engineering Lecture Series the department welcomed Dr. Christopher Schuh, Dean of the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University, for an insightful seminar entitled “The Coming Age of Computationally Designed Grain Boundary Chemistry.”
The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society Conference 2025
MTSE made a strong impact at the 2025 TMS Annual Conference, held March 23–27 in Las Vegas.
Faculty members delivered invited talks, graduate students presented their research through oral and poster sessions and undergraduate teams proudly represented UNT in the Materials Bowl and Bladesmithing Competitions. The conference provided valuable opportunities for learning, networking and showcasing the department’s leadership in advanced materials and additive manufacturing.
Summer Outreach: Materials-Focused Camps at UNT
This summer, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering hosted three impactful camps that introduced students and teachers to the world of materials science.
The ASM Materials Camp for Teachers, held June 2-6 at Discovery Park, brought together STEM educators for hands-on experiments with metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. Participants earned continuing education units or graduate credit, with nearly all planning to integrate the lessons into their classrooms.
On June 9, high school students from across the DFW area attended the MSE One-Day Materials Camp. Through interactive labs and demonstrations, students explored topics like nanomaterials, 3D printing and liquid crystals while learning about career pathways in materials science.
The FIERF Forge Engineering Camp introduced middle school students to fundamental concepts in forging and materials processing. Students engaged in hands-on activities and demos with guidance from student volunteers.
These camps reflect the department’s continued commitment to STEM outreach, education and early exposure to engineering careers.
Student Title
Jessica Harris
Recent Graduates
Isothermal Compression of Iron-Manganese Alloys With BCC to HCP Phase Transformation
Adam Cunningham Modeling of Hot Rolling NiTi B2-Cubic With Finite Element Analysis
Evan Ober
The Effect of B2O3 Addition and Temperature Optimization on Mechanical Properties of Laminated Alumina and Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia
Kunal Patel Binder Jet Additive Manufacturing of Tungsten Carbide-Cobalt Tooling Material
Ashique Zaman
Eric Kusterer
Vanessa Montoya
Liquid Phase Exfoliation of Tungsten Diselenide for Environmental and Breath Sensing
Parametric Optimization and Performance of Additively Manufactured Refractory and Shock Sensitive Alloys
Advanced Surface Coatings for Tribological Applications: A Study of WC/C DLC and Duplex Peo-Chameleon Systems or Coatings Under Varied Temperatures and Environments
Prithvi Dev Awasthi Additive Manufacturing of Refractory Metals
Kelly Jacques Experimental Investigations of Steel Scuffing and Coatings for Scuffing Prevention
Dian Li Understanding the Roles of Defects in the Microstructural Evolutions in Metastable Beta Titanium Alloys
Sai Sree Varahabhatla
Teng Yang
Anurag K. Gumaste
Euan Cairns
Jayani Kalahe
Influence of Energy Density (Fluence) on the Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Additively Manufactured Soft Magnetic Alloys
Ultrasonic Metamaterial Lens Enabled Noncontact In-Situ Monitoring and Ex-Situ Inspection of Solid-State Additive Manufacturing Process
Enhanced Structural Performance Through Process-Material Co-Design for Friction-Stir Based Additive Manufacturing
Lubrication Mechanisms of Molybdenum Disulfide Spray Coatings in Low-Viscosity Hydrocarbon Environments
The Effects of Composition and Temperature on Interfacial Reactions and Corrosion of Aluminosilicate Glasses From Reactive Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Omotosho Polymer Templated Nanoporous Metal Oxide Coatings for Functional Applications
Faith Gantz
Sakri
Evaluating Processing–Property Relationships in Metallic Alloys and Metal-Ceramic Composites Fabricated With Direct-Write Technique
Utilizing Micro-Mechanisms to Extend Fatigue Life in High Temperature Shape Memory Alloys
Siva Shankar Alla Thermomechanical Processing of Tungsten and Its Alloys for Fusion Energy Applications
Rashida Yasmeen
Molecular Simulations on Selective Guest Adsorption Upon Versatile De-Fluorinated Metal-Organic Frameworks
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