2024 Department of Materials Science and Engineering Facutly Awards and Grants

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is proud to acknowledge the achievements and recognitions that have been bestowed upon our faculty members for their innovative research and contributions to the field.

Pictured Top row, left to right:  Eric Detsi, Ritesh Agarwal, Liang Feng.
Bottom row, left to right; , Mark Licurse, Karen Winey, Shu Yang.

Professors Liang Feng and Ritesh Agarwal have been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for their collaborative research project, “DMREF: Deep Learning Guided Twistronics for Self-Assembled Quantum Optoelectronics.” This pioneering initiative leverages deep learning techniques to explore the emerging field of twistronics, which involves manipulating the electronic properties of materials by twisting layers of two-dimensional crystals. Their research aims to develop new quantum optoelectronic devices that could revolutionize technologies in photonics and quantum computing, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with engineered materials.

Professor Eric Detsi has been awarded a grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) initiative. His research focuses on advancing clean energy technologies, particularly in the development and deployment of sustainable hydrogen solutions. By supporting workforce development and fostering innovation in the clean energy sector, Professor Detsi’s work will contribute significantly to the national goal of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a more sustainable energy economy.

Mark Licurse has been honored with the Hatfield Award for Excellence in Teaching, recognizing his outstanding contributions as a faculty member in the lecturer and practice professor track.

Professor Karen Winey has received funding from the DOE Basic Energy Sciences (BES) as part of the Energy Earthshots™ Initiative.  Her research focuses on addressing critical challenges in energy storage and conversion, contributing to the development of next-generation materials for sustainable energy applications.

Professor Shu Yang has been elected as a 2024 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the most prestigious honors in science and engineering. This recognition highlights her significant contributions to materials science, particularly her groundbreaking work in smart materials and surfaces. Additionally, Professor Yang’s eSeeds project has been featured in Fast Company magazine’s “World Changing Ideas” list for 2024, acknowledging the project’s potential to make a transformative impact on sustainable practices through innovative engineering solutions. Yang was also recognized with the Penn Engineering Student Choice Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award the PCI Inventor of the Year award.