The University of Tennessee Department of Materials Science and Engineering

10/28/2026

Interested in learning more about programs available within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UT? 🧐

In the video below, MSE faculty members Dustin Gilbert, Kate Page, and Mariya Zhuravleva, as well as Marlena Alexander and Luke Wathen, share a deeper look into their personal experiences in the department.

10/16/2026

Incoming UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices, Deep Jariwala, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

The APS Fellowship Program recognizes members for exceptional contributions in physics research, important applications of physics, significant contributions to physics education, or leadership in or service to the APS community. Jariwala was selected by the forum on industrial and applied physics.

Learn more ➡️

Incoming UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices Deep Jariwala has been elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society. […]

10/15/2026

Four Junior MSE recently travelled to Quebec City, Canada, to attend the International Materials, Applications & Technologies (IMAT) hosted by ASM International. While at IMAT, they competed in the annual DomesDay competition, where teams design, build, and structurally test geodesic domes. Their project "Lil Domey V" won the award for Best Materials Innovativeness! 🏆

Team Members
🔸 Randi Gill
🔸 Mary Redmore
🔸 Callie Jee
🔸 Emily English

Team Mentors
🔸 Jake Officer
🔸 Dr. Bernadette Cladek

Funding
🔸 MSE at UT
🔸 Center for Materials Processing

Congrats, ! 👏

10/02/2026

The Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (IAMM) is now home to a Quantum Design FusionScope, a powerful new tool that combines three microscopy techniques to streamline correlated, high-confidence materials characterization. This capability will help researchers move faster from “new material idea” to measurable performance.

Alla Slautina, a research specialist at IAMM, highlights how AI guidance can reduce the time spent selecting measurement modes and workflows, boosting speed and confidence in evaluating new materials.

Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3U67si6

09/25/2026

Last week, Chancellor Donde Plowman officially launched the "It Takes a Volunteer" campaign, the largest and most ambitious campaign in the University of Tennessee's history (https://bit.ly/4hngz5z).

As part of the launch event, MSE Callie Jee ('28) and Amelia Northam ('29) were invited to present their undergraduate research on the development of a new natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite using recycled paper as the fiber source.

They were joined at the event by their research mentor, Prof. David Harper, whose primary appointment is with the Center for Renewable Carbon with a joint appointment at MSE. Together, their research highlights two of the primary pillars of the campaign:

🔸 Providing unparalleled student experiences
🔸 Conducting research that improves lives

A variety of attendees stopped by the poster to hear Callie and Amelia share the impact of their research, including Tennessee State Senator Becky Massey; Dr. Deborah Crawford, Vice Chancellor for Research and former MSE department head; and Dr. Veerle Keppens, now Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.

09/18/2026

Congratulations to incoming UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices, Deep Jariwala, on being named a finalist for the 2026 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists!

The prestigious awards recognize scientific advances made by researchers in the United States across life sciences, chemical sciences, and physical sciences and engineering.

Full Story 🔗

Incoming UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices Deep Jariwala has been named a finalist for the 2026 Blavatnik National Awards […]

09/17/2026

Weston Fulton Professor Sergei Kalinin and Associate Professor Mahshid Ahmadi are co-PIs on projects funded by the DOE's Genesis Mission, a push to advance AI-assisted research in the US.

Kalinin is streamlining semiconducting thin films, while Ahmadi will protect AI agents helping with scientific research. Learn more at the link below!

🔗 https://bit.ly/479pSRT

Professor Sergei Kalinin and Associate Professor Mahshid Ahmadi are co-PIs on projects funded by the DOE to advance AI-assisted research in the US.

09/10/2026

The MSE senior design team, Team Sword Washington, placed in the top five of the 2025 Cast in Steel competition! Their journey is part of a new YouTube competition show that challenges university teams to design, cast, and test a fully functional metal tool or weapon from scratch.

Watch the competition finale at the link below!

🗞️ https://bit.ly/4rcZTm4
📺 https://bit.ly/3SWvP16

09/02/2026

Professor Katharine Page is one of six UT faculty members to receive the Athletics Professor of Excellence Award for the 2026-27 academic year.

Page is a former three-time collegiate national champion in Olympic-style weightlifting and also competed in track and field for the University of Maine. Learn more about the award at the link below!

🔗

MSE Professor Katharine Page was one of six UT faculty members to receive the Athletics Professor of Excellence Award for the 2026-27 academic year.

09/02/2026

We kicked off the week with our MSE gathering for the annual Research & Pizza luncheon, hosted by Material Advantage! 🍕 It was a fantastic chance for MSE faculty to present their research interests and opportunities for undergraduate students in their research groups. And a special thank you to AIST for sponsoring the event and providing the pizza! 😋

Material Advantage is an MSE student organization focused on building community and professional development. Members of Material Advantage receive membership in four professional societies for materials scientists: American Ceramics Society (ACerS), ASM International, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), and the Association of Iron & Stee Technology (AIST).