Institute of Materials Science & Engineering

The Institute of Materials Science & Engineering (IMSE) at Washington University in St. Louis offers a unique, interdisciplinary PhD in Materials Science & Engineering that crosses traditional departmental and school boundaries. The field of materials science and engineering focuses on the study, development and application of new materials with desirable properties, with the goal of enabling new products and superior performance regimes. Disciplines in the physical sciences (e.g., chemistry, physics) play a central role in developing the fundamental knowledge that is needed to design materials for a variety of engineering applications (e.g., mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering). Building on training that spans from fundamental to applied sciences, materials scientists and engineers integrate this fundamental knowledge to develop new materials and match them with appropriate technological needs.

The IMSE is well positioned to address the needs of a student seeking a truly interdisciplinary experience. The IMSE brings together a diverse group of faculty from departments in Arts & Sciences, the McKelvey School of Engineering, and the School of Medicine. The IMSE also oversees shared research and instrument facilities, develops partnerships with industry and national laboratories, and facilitates outreach activities.

Current focused areas of research and advanced graduate education within the IMSE include the following:

• Artificial intelligence in materials discovery and design
• Biomedical, bio-derived, and bio-inspired materials
• Materials for energy and environmental technologies
• Quantum and photonic materials and devices

Contact Info

Director

Professor Flores' primary research interest is the mechanical behavior of high-performance structural materials, with particular emphasis on understanding structure-processing-property relationships in bulk metallic glasses and their composites.

Professors

Professor Guan’s research interests are in biomimetic biomaterials synthesis and scaffold fabrication; bioinspired modification of biomaterials; injectable and highly flexible hydrogels; bioimageable polymers for MRI and EPR imaging and oxygen sensing; mathematical modeling of scaffold structural and mechanical properties; stem cell differentiation; neural stem cell transplantation for brain tissue regeneration; and bone and cardiovascular tissue engineering.

Professor Foston's research program seeks to develop innovative and novel routes to exploit and utilize lignocellulosic biomass by taking advantage of materials involved in industries such as agriculture, paper making, and forestry products.

Professor Henriksen's lab research is centered on the properties of electrons confined to two dimensions. This remarkable system has yielded a tremendous amount of interesting and important physics over the past several decades, from the integer and fractional quantum Hall effects to the groundbreaking discoveries of graphene and other atomically thin crystals and especially to the recent realization of the topological nature of the electronic structure of a surprising number of materials both novel and familiar.

Professor Hu's research focuses on the development of cutting-edge optical and photoacoustic technologies for high-resolution structural, functional, metabolic, and molecular imaging in vivo and their applications in neurovascular disorders, cardiovascular diseases, regenerative medicine, and cancer.

Vijay Ramani's research interests lie at the confluence of electrochemical engineering, materials science and renewable and sustainable energy technologies. The National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, ARPA-E, and Department of Energy have funded his research, with mechanisms including an NSF CAREER award (2009) and an ONR Young Investigator Award (ONR-YIP; 2010).

Professor Singamaneni’s research interests include plasmonic engineering in nanomedicine (in vitro biosensing for point-of-care diagnostics, molecular bioimaging, nanotherapeutics); photovoltaics (plasmonically enhanced photovoltaic devices); surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based chemical sensors, with particular emphasis on the design and fabrication of unconventional and highly efficient SERS substrates; hierarchical organic/inorganic nanohybrids as multifunctional materials; bioinspired structural and functional materials; polymer surfaces and interfaces; responsive and adaptive materials and scanning probe microscopy; and surface force spectroscopy of soft and biological materials.

Professor Zhang’s research focuses on developing synthetic biology tools and systems for the sustainable production of structurally defined chemicals and high-performance materials. Current research projects include the following: (1) engineering microbial metabolic dynamics and heterogeneity; (2) engineering metabolic pathways to produce structure-defined biofuels and chemicals; and (3) developing microbial factories to produce high-performance materials.

Associate Professors

Professor Bai's research focuses on the development of next-generation batteries. Knowledge and tools developed in the Bai Group also apply to and benefit the design of other electrochemical energy systems, like supercapacitors and fuel cells.

Dr. Berezin’s lab focuses on the development of novel optically active probes ranging from small molecules to nanoparticles and the development of optical instrumentation for spectroscopy and imaging using knowledge of excited states. The lab's research interest lies in the investigation and application of molecular excited states and their reactions for medical imaging and clinical treatment.

Professor Huebsch's research focus is in basic and translational stem cell mechanobiology, with specific focus on hydrogels to control cell-mediated tissue repair and three-dimensional, iPSC-based heart-in-a-dish models to study the influence of mechanical loading and genetics on arrhythmia and contractility.

Professor Lew and his students build advanced imaging systems to study biological and chemical systems at the nanoscale, leveraging innovations in applied optics, signal and image processing, design optimization, and physical chemistry. Their advanced nanoscopes (microscopes with nanometer resolution) visualize the activity of individual molecular machines inside and outside living cells. Examples of new technologies developed in the Lew Lab include (1) using tiny fluorescent molecules as sensors that can detect amyloid proteins; (2) designing new "lenses" to create imaging systems that can visualize how molecules move and tumble; and (3) new imaging software that minimizes artifacts in super-resolution images.

Professor Li’s research interests are in batteries and fuel cells, including direct methanol fuel cells, lithium-oxygen batteries and battery thermal management;  transport phenomena in porous media; greenhouse gas emissions and full fuel cycle analysis of fossil fuels; and life cycle assessment and economic analysis of advanced energy techniques, among others.

Professor Meacham’s research interests include microfluidics, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and associated transport phenomena, with application to design, development and testing of novel energy systems and life sciences tools, from scalable micro-/nanotechnologies for improved heat and mass exchangers to MEMS-based tools for manipulation and investigation of cellular processes. He is also interested in the behavior of jets and/or droplets of complex fluids during ejection from microscopic orifices, which is critical to applications as disparate as biological sample preparation and additive manufacturing.

Professor Mishra’s research interest is to develop quantitative structure-property correlations in materials starting from the atomic scale. To develop such correlations, his group synergistically combines electronic structure calculations with atomic-resolution electron microscope imaging and spectroscopy. The end goal is the rational design of materials with properties tailored for electronic, optical, magnetic and energy applications. Current research topics include perovskite materials for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications, novel electrocatalysts, oxidizers, and wide-bandgap semiconductors.

Jai Rudra's lab is interested in the development of nanoscale biomaterials such as nanofibers, nanoparticles, virus-like particles, and hydrogels for engaging the immune system to induce protective antibody and cell-mediated immune responses against diseases such as tuberculosis, melanoma, and flavivirus infections (i.e., West Nile and Zika). He is also investigating the development of vaccines against drugs of addiction such as cocaine.

Professor Wang's research focus is on two-dimensional semiconductor nanoelectronics and optoelectronics, stretchable electronics, printed electronics, and sensors and actuators.

Professor Weisensee's work focuses on understanding the interplay of fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and liquid-solid interactions of droplets and other multi-phase systems. Practical applications of interest are phase change heat transfer for thermal management, thermal storage, water harvesting, metallic additive manufacturing, and droplet interactions with biological and natural systems.

Assistant Professors

Professor Bae's research group focuses on tackling the challenges in materials science with thermodynamics, kinetics, and solid-state physics.

Matthew Bersi

Christopher Cooper's research at WashU focuses on using dynamic polymers to create responsive, soft materials for applications in energy storage, environmental sustainability, and human health. Through advanced synthesis and characterization, his research group designs polymers with distinct molecular designs and reversible bonds for applications including wearable or implantable electronic devices, recyclable underwater adhesives, soft actuators, and upcycling of industrial plastics. Cooper has published more than 15 peer-reviewed journal articles and given numerous conference presentations and invited talks.

Francisco Lagunas Vargas

Professor Lawrence and his lab are harnessing breakthroughs in nanoscale engineering to push the limits of light-based technologies, targeting applications ranging from all-optical computing and quantum communication to metrology and biosensing.

The Powderly Group seeks to develop and utilize new synthetic pathways to discover extended solids with magnetic, electronic, and non-trivial topological properties of interest in quantum information science and to explore new fundamental bonding in materials.

Professor Ran’s research aims to realize and understand exotic states of quantum materials using combined techniques of bulk crystal synthesis, electric and thermal transport measurements under extreme temperature, pressure and magnetic field conditions, and neutron and high-energy X-ray scattering.

Xi Wang's lab utilizes cutting-edge magneto optical and optoelectronic microscopy and spectroscopy to probe and control excitons, electrons, phonons, magnons, and so on in quantum materials for applications in quantum simulation and quantum communication.

Professor Zu's research interests lie at the interface between atomic, molecular, and optical physics; condensed matter physics; and quantum information.

To earn a PhD degree, students must complete the requirements of the McKelvey School of Engineering, along with program-specific requirements. Courses include the following:

• Four IMSE Core Courses (12 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Units
MEMS 5610	Quantitative Materials Science & Engineering	3
MEMS 5619	Thermodynamics of Materials *	3
Hard Materials Track:
MEMS 5620	Kinetics of Materials	3
CHEM 5620	Solid-State and Materials Chemistry *	3
or PHYSICS 5072	Solid State Physics
Soft Materials Track:
MEMS 5608	Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering	3
MEMS 5614	Polymeric Materials Synthesis and Modification	3

*

EECE 5020 Advanced Thermodynamics in EECE may be taken instead with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies.

• Three courses (9 units) from a preapproved list of Materials Science & Engineering electives
• IMSE 8991 IMSE First-Year Research Experience (6 units)
• A minimum of three graduate-level technical elective courses (9 units) in mathematics or any science or engineering department, to reach a total of at least 36 academic credit units
  • A maximum of 3 units of IMSE Journal Club will be permitted toward this requirement.
  • Any 4000-level courses not included on the preapproved list of Materials Science & Engineering electives must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee.
• A maximum of 12 units of 4000-level courses may be applied toward the required 36 academic credit units. Undergraduate-only courses (below the 4000 level) are generally not permitted and may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
• IMSE 8997 IMSE Graduate Seminar every semester of full-time enrollment
• 18 to 36 units of IMSE 8998 Doctoral Research (Students must identify an IMSE faculty member willing and able to support their dissertation research on a materials-related topic.)
• Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 for all graded courses and have no more than one grade of B– or below in a core course or a Materials Science & Engineering elective.

Additional program requirements include the following:

• Pass the IMSE Qualifying Examination (oral and written components).
• Identify an IMSE graduate program faculty member willing and able to support the student's dissertation research on a materials-related topic.
• Maintain satisfactory research progress on a topic in materials science and engineering, as determined by the dissertation advisor and the mentoring committee.
• Successfully complete research ethics training by the end of the third semester.
• Successfully complete MTE requirements by the end of the third year.
• Successfully complete the dissertation proposal and presentation, with approval from the dissertation examination committee.
• Successfully complete and defend a PhD dissertation, with final approval from the dissertation examination committee.

Failure to meet these requirements will result in dismissal from the program.

Recommended Course Plan

Year 1

Fall Semester

• IMSE 8997 IMSE Graduate Seminar
• IMSE 8991 IMSE First-Year Research Experience
• MEMS 5610 Quantitative Materials Science & Engineering
• MEMS 5619 Thermodynamics of Materials
  • IMSE will allow EECE 5020 Advanced Thermodynamics in EECE in place of MEMS 5619 Thermodynamics of Materials with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies.
• Hard Materials Track: CHEM 5620 Solid-State and Materials Chemistry
  • An elective may be chosen if the student is taking PHYSICS 5072 Solid State Physics in the spring.
• Soft Materials Track: MEMS 5608 Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering

Spring Semester

• Begin dissertation research
• IMSE 8997 IMSE Graduate Seminar
• IMSE 8991 IMSE First-Year Research Experience
• Hard Materials Track: MEMS 5620 Kinetics of Materials
• Soft Materials Track: MEMS 5614 Polymeric Materials Synthesis and Modification
• Elective

Summer

• Prepare for IMSE Qualifying Examination (typically taken in August):
  • Written document and oral presentation on research rotation
  • Oral examination on fundamentals from core courses

Years 2 and Beyond

• Complete remaining electives (discuss with dissertation advisor)
• IMSE 8997 IMSE Graduate Seminar
• IMSE 8998 Doctoral Research
• Teaching requirements (to be completed by the end of the third year):
  • Attend two McKelvey preparatory engagement workshops.
  • AI two times at 10 MER units for a total of 20 units.
• Regular meetings (at least once per year) with the mentoring committee
• Dissertation proposal and presentation (fifth semester)
• Dissertation and oral defense

As part of their degree requirements, PhD students must complete a program-defined Mentored Experience Requirement (MER) as per these guidelines. The Mentored Experience Implementation Plan (MEIP) is the written articulation of a program-defined degree requirement for PhD students to engage in mentored teaching activities and/or mentored professional activities, collectively referred to as the MER.

Mentored Experience Requirement (MER)

Philosophy of Teaching

Materials scientists and engineers work at the interface between the fundamental physical sciences and application-oriented disciplines. As such, they often need to translate between underlying physical principles governing the performance of a material and the design requirements of a system or device. This translation is inherently two-way; the emergent properties of novel materials enable new, potentially transformative applications, and new devices often require materials with unique (and challenging) property profiles. To facilitate this two-way translation, our PhD graduates must be able to communicate both fundamental and applied concepts to a variety of audiences, including supervisors, subordinates, clients, and co-workers, whose familiarity with the MSE field may range from novice to expert. Moreover, mentored teaching experiences instill a sense of responsibility, professionalism, and ethical conduct, preparing students to navigate the complex landscape of academia, industry, government, or other research-oriented sectors with confidence and integrity.

Preparatory Engagement

Preparatory Engagement activities are those that represent an introduction to the foundational skills associated with teaching or communication. Pedagogical preparation engagement activities are normally completed before students are permitted to engage in assisting or teaching in a classroom.

Two preparatory workshops are required:

1. McKelvey Teaching Orientation (Canvas Course)
2. McKelvey Teaching Workshop (Canvas Course)

Mentored Teaching Experiences (MTEs)

Assistant in Instruction (AI)

An Assistant in Instruction (AI) is a PhD student who is directly engaged in the organization, instruction, and/or support of a semester-long course primarily taught by a faculty member. An AI receives mentorship from a faculty member related to best practices in classroom engagement, instruction in the field, interpersonal engagement, and other relevant skills. Students and mentors complete a mentorship plan prior to the start of each AI experience. To complete each AI assignment and to ensure that it applies toward their degree requirements, students must register for the appropriate course number for each semester of engagement. Refer to the "Required Pathways for Completion" section below for course numbers and details.

Students will AI two times at 10 MER units for a total of 20 units. Students work with their graduate supervisor on the timing and content of those assignments.

Required Pathways for Completion

Students work with their faculty mentor and their Director of Graduate Studies to plan how and when they will complete their MER. Students register during the normal registration period for courses in accordance with one of these approved pathways.

• Preparatory Engagement

Pre-Matriculation Credit Table

EGS 8010	Take two times