MATERIALS SCIENCE - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

12 Pages·2013·4.54 MB·English

MATERIALS SCIENCE
AND ENGINEERING
03 Hugo Ferguson
2013 Davies Medal
04
Student News
06
New Programs
10 New Faculty
Chaitanya Ullal
WELCOME
WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRESS ON MULTIPLE FRONTS
WE WANT TO HEAR
IN THE PAST YEAR! OUR FACULTY AND STUDENTS HAVE MADE
FROM YOU!
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS.
We are delighted to welcome Chaitanya Ullal to our faculty. As described
Robert Hull, Henry Burlage on page 10, Chaitanya brings us broad expertise in areas as diverse as novel If you are an alum with
Chair of Engineering & nano-lithography techniques, new methods for three dimensional assembly, news to share just send
Head, Department of
polymeric materials, ultra-high resolution optical microscopy methods, and a message to Dana
Materials Science and
the materials-biology interface. We look forward to bringing two new faculty
Engineering (MSE) Chichester at:
on board in the next year, with two additional searches already launched.
In particular, we are focusing on further developing the department’s role in [email protected] or
defining new directions for the science and engineering of biological materials, mail in the form on
building on the extensive collaborations we have across the Institute. [cont.]
the back of this issue.
mse.rpi.edu
WELCOME
[CONT.]
Our faculty members have had a most productive year. We are Our students continue to impress and amaze us. For example,
extremely proud to welcome Ganpati Ramanath to the ranks of we applaud senior Karly Chester for being elected an ASM
endowed professors in our Department. Professor Ramanath is International Student Board Member (page 6). We also note
the John Tod Horton ’52 Chair of Materials Engineering, in the that this year, once again, our incoming first year Materials
illustrious company of our other John Tod Horton ’52 Chair, Engineering class is the largest in memory. Among our graduate
David Duquette. Ramanath was also recently elected as Fellow students, the pinnacle of achievement has been Ming Ma winning
of the American Vacuum Society, so it has been a banner year the most prestigious award for Ph.D. students on campus: the
for him! Another stand-out among faculty awards is Liping $30,000 Lemelson-Rensselaer Collegiate Student Prize (page 5).
Huang’s receipt of a National Science Foundation CAREER
award, to complement her existing Young Investigator Award We are delighted by the ever strengthening relationship with our
from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Also, as a mark of the alumni. We are honored that Hugo Ferguson received the 2013
extraordinarily high esteem that he is held in by his peers, Dick Davies Medal for Engineering Achievement from the Institute
Siegel was honored in April with the RPI School of Engineering (page 3). Hugo and his wife Evelyn have also been very generous
“Outstanding Professor Award”. He joins recent winners Linda in creating recent graduate and undergraduate fellowships in
Schadler and Minoru Tomozawa to make it three years out of the our department. Our alumni also feature strongly in our recently
past five that MSE faculty have won this award. For several other established Departmental Advisory Board, which we will
faculty awards in the past year, see page 9. highlight in next year’s issue. Another alumnus, George Pearsall,
has generously supported the recent installation of our dual
In December, we are planning a major celebration to celebrate (electron and ion) beam environmental electron microscope (page
Roger Wright’s forty years here as a pivotal member of our faculty. 8). Finally, we note with great pride the election of two of our
As described on page 7, Roger has been a leader for many decades alumni, John E. Kelly III and Peter L. Andresen, to the National
in defining our research and education programs. He is retiring Academy of Engineering in the past year.
at the end of this academic year, and is teaching his last courses
this fall semester. We will miss him greatly and wish him the very To our alumni reading this, please turn to the back page to learn
best for the future. how to keep in touch with us, and about programs for supporting
our student initiatives.
We mourn the passing of Emeritus Professor Norman Stoloff and
Dean of Engineering George Ansell. As described below, both Looking forward to an equally exciting and productive 2014.
men were a stalwarts of our department for decades. At a moving
memorial service in the Chapel and Cultural Center on campus,
With very best wishes,
Stoloff’s leadership, his care for students, and many anecdotes
were recalled. The Stoloff family has generously set up a fund
in his memory that will annually recognize those two graduate
students in our department who publish the most significant Robert Hull, Henry Burlage Chair of Engineering & Head,
papers within the year of award. Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Norman S. Stoloff, Ph.D., ’78, Professor Dr. George S. Ansell ‘54 passed away on Friday, August 30, 2013.
Emeritus at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dr. Ansell earned his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering
passed away on February 21, 2013. Norman in 1954 and a master’s degree in 1955. He earned his Ph.D. in
was born October 16, 1934 in Brooklyn NY. He 1960, and joined the faculty of the Institute that same year.
earned a B.S. in 1955 from New York University
and a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Columbia He was promoted to Professor of Metallurgical Engineering in
University in 1961. He was a Fellow of the 1965, appointed as the Robert W. Hunt Professor in 1967, and
American Society for Metals (now ASM International) and in 1992 became chair of the Materials Division in 1969.
he won the Distinguished Career Award from the ASM Eastern NY
In 1974, he was appointed Dean of Engineering. During his 10-year
Chapter.
tenure as dean, the school greatly expanded its focus on graduate
After holding engineering positions at Pratt & Whitney and education and research. Engineering enrollment and research
Ford, Norman moved to the Capital District and began a 30- funding flourished under his leadership, and Rensselaer participated
year distinguished career as a professor in the Department of successfully in important technological initiatives in partnership
Materials Engineering. With over 250 publications, Norman with industry, including interactive computer graphics, advanced
was an internationally recognized researcher. He was invited to manufacturing, and integrated electronics.
chair organizations and conferences including both the ASM
“…Rensselaer would not be what it is today without the effort,
International and Engineering Foundation Conferences. Norman
passion, and intellect of Dr. Ansell,” said Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson,
edited several notable textbooks and journals in his field, including
President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
the International Journal of Materials Research. He was a mentor
and instructor to the many dedicated students who continue to
carry out his work. He will be missed by all of us. IN MEMORIAM
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Rensselaer Department of Materials Science and Engineering
HUGO FERGUSON
MANUFACTURING PIONEER , Shortly after graduating with
his bachelor’s degree, Ferguson
MATERIALS ENGINEERING PH.D. 1962, AWARDED collaborated with Rensselaer
metallurgy faculty members
THE DAVIES MEDAL Warren Savage and Ernest
Nippes to invent the Gleeble,
a powerful metallurgical
Celebrated innovator and Gleeble, a powerful tool that nation. It is impossible to
simulation system. The
metallurgist Hugo S. Ferguson revolutionized the field of over-emphasize the role of
Gleeble enabled researchers,
’56, received the prestigious welding. his leadership and vision in
for the first time, to simulate
Davies Medal for Engineering pushing forward the field of
realistic welding processes in
Achievement from Rensselaer Dr. Ferguson, the founder, welding, and his influence
the laboratory under realistic
on April 22, 2013. The Davies past president, and former is clearly visible in the way
thermo-mechanical conditions.
Medal is the highest award chairman of DSI, received his we make today’s bridges,
The breakthrough served as
given to an alumnus of the B.S. in physics in 1956 and cars, ships, and anything
a foundation for many key
Engineering School his Ph.D. in metallurgy in else requiring welding.
advances in materials science
at Rensselaer. 1962 from Rensselaer. Former Dr. Ferguson’s hard work
and engineering, and more
Dean David Rosowsky, in and success exemplify the
broadly helped to pioneer
In a ceremony at the Heffner presenting the award, stated challenge we extend to all
the emerging field of process
Alumni House he spoke about that “Dr. Ferguson’s vision, Rensselaer students—
simulations.
his distinguished career, leadership, and achievements Dr. Ferguson has truly
including the founding of in engineering have made changed the world.”
Dynamic Systems Inc. (DSI) an indelible impact on the
Our Department is truly honored by our graduates
and his invention of the manufacturing economy of our
and all that they accomplish.
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mse.rpi.edu
STUDENT NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK TO THE A
S
CLASS OF 2013!
WT
U
A
D
R
E
DN Ph.D. student Garth Scannell
received a Chateaubriand
ST Fellowship to conduct research in
France at the University of Rennes
for the academic year.
Senior Maya Nath and Ph.D. Ph.D. student Katrina
students Peter Lezzi, and Bermudez has been awarded a
The class of 2013 was a vibrant class who made multiple contributions Garth Scannell have been fellowship as part of the NASA
to the campus. We wish them well as they head to graduate school, awarded scholarships from the Harriett G. Jenkins Predoctoral
industry, and military service. Several students will be completing a Eastern New York chapter of Fellowship Project (JPFP). The
co-terminal degree at Rensselaer while some students are attending ASM. JPFP aims to increase the U.S.
graduate school at Stanford University and Rensselaer, among other talent pool of underrepresented
leading institutions. Others joined Pratt and Whitney, TurboCAM, Seniors Andrew Lauer and groups, including women,
and General Dynamics, and other major companies. Madeline Muench and Ph.D. ethnic minorities, and persons
student Ruopeng Deng with disabilities who receive
At the Department Commencement Celebration, several awards were are recipients of the 2013 Master’s and Doctoral degrees
presented. The Matthew Albert Hunter Prize, awarded to a senior who Founders Award. This award participating in the STEM
has demonstrated outstanding ability in academic work leading is given to students in the workforce.
to a career in the field, was given to Qiran Xiao. The Scott Mackay top 10% of their class, who
Prize, for the student who has given time and effort to the service of exhibit outstanding leadership
others, was awarded to Heather Conway. The Robert W. Messler, Jr., skills, and possess the ability
Design Award for the Most Improved Student awarded to a student(s) to promote new ideas and
showing the greatest improvement as a materials engineer in the theories in his/her field of study.
capstone project was awarded jointly to Karly Chester and
Luke Jorgensen. RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
AWARD

MATERIAL ADVANTAGE CHAPTER
WINS NATIONAL AWARD
The student chapter of Material Advantage at Rensselaer
has won the 2012/2013 Chapter of Excellence award. This
L to R: Robert Hull, Fenglin Yuan, Ruopeng Deng, David Duquette, & Ganpati Ramanath
award was presented by ASM International at the MS&T
conference held October 27-31, 2013 in Montreal, Canada. The recipients of the 2013 MS&E Research Excellence award were
The Chapters of Excellence Program rewards and recognizes Ruopeng Deng, entering class of 2009 (advised by Daniel Gall)
Material Advantage Student Chapters for consistently good and Fenglin Yuan, entering class of 2008 (advised by Liping
performance in areas that ACerS, AIST, ASM and TMS feel are Huang). The award is to recognize MSE graduate students for
beneficial to students and the community as a whole. their outstanding research accomplishments as evidenced by a
submitted or published journal article in the previous year.
On April 24th, Ruopeng presented work on “Crystal Structure
and Bandgap in Al ScN” and Fenglin presented work on
1-x x
“Understanding the Dynamic Disorder in ß-cristobalite Silica”.
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Rensselaer Department of Materials Science and Engineering
UNDERGRAD
MING MA WINS SPOTLIGHT
$30,000 LEMELSON-RENSSELEAR

COLLEGIATE STUDENT PRIZE Senior Ben Reeves is currently
working on an Undergraduate
Research Project (URP) with
Professor Dan Lewis, studying
the structure and phase
transformations in Sn-based
alloys. The need is to improve
the as-solidified microstructure in
solder joints during assembly of
microelectronic devices. Because
of high under-cooling prior to
Ma’s patent-pending technology, called nucleation of the solid phase in
GRIN (graded-refractive-index) LEDs, has Sn metal, it is possible to generate
demonstrated a light-extraction efficiency microstructures that exhibit
of 70 percent, meaning 70 percent of light suboptimal performance. Ben and
escaped and only 30 percent was left trapped Professor Lewis recently performed
inside the device. experiments at Argonne National
Laboratory’s Advanced Photon
Source. There they performed in-
,. situ experiments to understand
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the liquid structure of Sn near
the solidification temperature.
rpi.edu/lemelson
The hypothesis was that small
additions of alloying elements
changed the structure of the
liquid Sn in such a way as to
promote nucleation and reduce
the nucleation under-cooling. Data
analysis is ongoing. These results
will be coupled with thermal
and microstructural analysis to
better understand solidification
and mechanical behavior in
microelectronic devices.
Ming Ma, an MSE doctoral student, was named the winner of the prestigious 2013 $30,000
Lemelson-Rensselaer Student Prize. The prize is awarded annually to a Rensselaer senior or graduate
student who has created or improved a product or process, applied a technology in a new way,
redesigned a system, or demonstrated remarkable inventiveness in other ways.
Ming’s thesis focused on improving the efficiency of LEDs and introducing new functionalities such
as controllable light emission patterns. Both are critical to widespread adoption of LEDs. In order to
improve the efficiency, Ma created GRIN (graded-refractive-index) LEDs. GRIN LEDs are LEDs with
well-structured features on the surface to minimize the amount of light that gets reflected back
into the device, and maximize light extraction. He patterned the surface with tiny pillars made up
of five layers with decreasing index of refraction to reduce internal refraction and to maximize light
extraction. The cross section of the pillars was varied from round to star shaped to tailor the forward
light distribution.
Overall, Ma’s innovation could lead to entirely new methods for manufacturing LEDs with increased
light output, greater efficiency, and more controllable properties than the LEDs currently available in
the marketplace. Ma’s research advisor was Professor Fred E. Schubert and his academic advisor was
A diffraction image generated using hard
Professor Linda Schadler.
x-rays at the Advanced Photon Source.
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mse.rpi.edu
NEW
PROGRAMS
MSE UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
COMPUTATIONAL MATERIALS
INTRODUCES
This past January, our Our undergraduate students
department hosted a receive rigorous training in
curriculum retreat. Many of many advanced mathematics
our Curriculum Advisory courses, including Calculus I
Board members (the Board is and II, Differential Equations,
comprised of: Peter Brofman and Modeling and Analysis
from IBM, Richard Bergman of Uncertainty. Building on
from Corning, Sarah Lewis this foundation, we will make
KARLY CHESTER from Momentive, and Vin significant changes to the
CHOSEN AS AN
Smentkowski from GE) curriculum to incorporate
ASM INTERNATIONAL STUDENT traveled to Troy and joined our Computational Materials
faculty for a thorough review of Science, including: (1)
BOARD MEMBER our undergraduate curriculum. Launching a new senior
The review has led to a major course, MTLE 4500
decision that all faculty and “Computational Materials
Karly N. Chester has been selected to serve as one of three
board members strongly Design”; (2) Starting a trial run
Student Board Members of ASM International’s Board of
endorse, which is to introduce of a sophomore course, MTLE
Trustees for a one-year term effective June 2013. Students
computational materials 2200 “Applied Mathematics
are chosen from a large number of applications.
science into our required in Materials Science and
undergraduate curriculum. Engineering”; (3) Introducing
Karly is the first student board member from Rensselaer.
computational tools to the
ASM International Student Board Members (SBM) provide
Computational Materials senior course, MTLE 4400
a voice for students on the board. The objective of the
Science is a rapidly-growing “Materials Syntheses and
student members is to ensure that student interests are
field and is attracting Processing”; (4) Introducing or
being represented and that ASM International is effective at
increasing interest. This new enhancing the computational
recruiting and maintaining student membership.
area is promising to transform component in other core
traditional materials design materials courses wherever
SBMs participate in three board meetings a year, as well as practices, and to significantly applicable. These new
conference calls and the annual strategic planning session. accelerate the creation of elements in the curriculum
They can also serve on ASM committees. The SBM choose new materials while reducing will further develop students’
a project as a group that helps ASM. Recent projects have the cost. For example, the analytical and numerical skills,
focused on the student presence on the ASM web site and a Materials Genome Initiative, and offer them an opportunity
student forum. established by President to learn and appreciate the
Obama’s administration, applications of computational
Karly is expected to graduate with a M.S. in May 2014 emphasizes developing methods in materials
in technology, commercialization, and entrepreneurship, advanced computational engineering. They will not
a program that combines materials science, product tools and using these tools only acquire computational
development, and patent law. She received a B.S. to accelerate the discovery materials skills, but will also
in materials engineering and a B.S. in business and and deployment of advanced further develop mind sets
management in May 2013. She participated in two materials via virtual materials that embrace creativity, rigor,
undergraduate research projects in polymer nanocomposites testing. Recognizing the and vision. Some students
and helped develop the laboratory section for the senior importance of computational will join the computational
materials processing course. For her master’s project she is design and prediction, many materials design workforce
working on nano dielectric materials. Karly is a member of materials and manufacturing after graduation, while others
the RPI Women’s Mentor Program, immediate past companies are increasing the can apply the kind of thinking
co-chair of the RPI Material Advantage Chapter, and number of computational involved in computational
vice president of the RPI Society of Plastics Engineers materials engineering materials to solve important
Student Chapter. positions. problems in other fields.
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Rensselaer Department of Materials Science and Engineering
NEW
RENSSELAER MSE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOW PROGRAM

Our department is starting an exciting Two Fellows will be selected each All MSE Undergraduate Research Fellows
new program beginning in the Spring semester based on academic record, work will participate in the Rensselaer Annual
2014 semester; the MSE Undergraduate ethic, time commitment, and potential Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Research Fellow Program. This for excellent research. Selected Fellows
competitive program will celebrate will also participate in the Institute- Our department will also support
the most accomplished of our many wide Undergraduate Research Program Fellows who have obtained significant
undergraduates who participate in (URP), and can choose to receive course research results to attend national
research experiences within the credits, receive pay for their research, conferences and participate in student
department, providing additional funds or participate solely for the experience. research competitions. This program
for research under the guidance of their Each award recipient will receive a offers a valuable opportunity for talented
chosen faculty supervisor. fellowship of $500, held in a department materials engineering undergraduates
funding account, that can used towards to be recognized for their enthusiasm
Any student in their sophomore or junior any reasonable research expense, such for scientific exploration, and for their
year will be eligible for nomination. as registration and travel expense for ability to analyze and solve complex
Faculty may nominate undergraduate attending a conference, buying books problems. The program also enhances
students who have performed research related to materials engineering, ordering the competitiveness and visibility of our
under their supervision for at least one materials supplies for their projects, and department. In fact, it will help us attract
semester (summer research also qualifies) other qualified expenses. After completing top students to our department, and
at the time of nomination, and who will two semesters of research, each Fellow can outstanding Fellow graduates will go
continue work in the faculty member’s explore (with his/her faculty supervisor) on to become leaders in materials science
laboratory for at least two semesters after continued doing research in the same lab. and engineering.
the award is made.
YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM
We ask you to help us make this program successful by enabling us to make as many
awards as the enthusiasm and creativity of undergraduate researchers warrants
(see back page). You can also make a gift towards the undergraduate research fellowship by
clicking the “support” link at mse.rpi.edu or directly contacting us at [email protected].
Thank you for participating in this important effort!
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mse.rpi.edu
NEW
ELECTRON AND ION ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING MICROSCOPE
Our new Electron and Ion low as a few tens of eV using and additive (using ion
Environmental Scanning sample biasing. This set of beam induced deposition)
Microscope (FEI Versa) has capabilities enables ultra-high lithography.
arrived and been installed. The resolution imaging across the
microscope adds impressive full spectrum of materials. Finally, the “Environmental”
capabilities to our Nanoscale part in the instrument’s title
Characterization Core. The “Ion” part means that an means we can operate the
ultra-high resolution (c. 7 nm microscope under conditions
The “Electron” part means spot size) Ga+ focused ion of temperature and pressure
that we have a state-of-the-art beam (FIB) is also integrated where liquid water can be
scanning electron microscope into the instrument. This maintained while imaging.
capable of resolution of enables extension of the This is significant in multiple
about 1 nm at higher incident imaging capabilities of the applications, but most
electron energies (20 – 30 instrument to three dimensions importantly for imaging of
keV), resolution of a few nm using FIB tomographic biological samples, which can
down to energies less than methods as well as other key remain in a hydrated state.
1 keV, and incident electron capabilities such as nanoscale
energies which can be as subtractive (via sputtering)
The new instrument will support research activities across the entire Institute.
We are most grateful to Two specific applications in MSE include:
our alumnus, George 1 [Robert Hull and Dan Lewis in MSE with
. Extending a new electron beam based
Pearsall, whose support Antoinette Maniatty in the Department
temperature measurement technique
was critical in enabling of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear
developed in our department (Wu and Hull,
the ion beam component Engineering (MANE) and John Wen in the
Nanotechnology, 23, 465707) to 10 nm
Departments of Electrical, Computer, and
of the instrument. scale resolution.
System Engineering (ECSE) and Industrial
2 and Systems Engineering (ISE)] focusing on
. Serving as a key capability for a new major
real time sensing, simulation and control of
NSF Materials Genome Initiative program
grain growth in metals.
ALUMNI
NEWS
Two alumni were elected to the National Academy of Engineers
(NAE). Members are elected to NAE membership by their peers
(current NAE members). Election to membership is one of the
highest professional honors accorded an engineer.
Dr. Peter L. Andresen ’79 - for prediction and
prevention of stress corrosion cracking in
nuclear materials. Dr. Andresen is a Principal
Scientist at GE Global Research in Niskayuna,
NY and his research focuses on the very slow
growth of cracks in the hot water environments
Dr. Rutvik Mehta ’11 was one of the recipients of The Business
common to energy systems.
Review’s 40 under Forty. Dr. Mehta is the president, CEO and co-
founder of startup ThermoAura Inc. based in Troy, NY.
Dr. John E. Kelly III ’78 - for contributions
to the U.S. semiconductor industry through
Each year 40 Under Forty recognizes the Albany area’s young
technology innovations and strategic
business leaders. ThermoAura Inc utilizes nanotechnology and
leadership. Dr. Kelly is the Senior Vice
thermoelectrics to confront global environmental challenges and
President and Director of Research at IBM.
meet global energy needs.
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Rensselaer Department of Materials Science and Engineering
FACULTY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Liping Huang Ganpati Ramanath Pawel Keblinski Linda Schadler Richard Siegel
Liping Huang - Winner Ganpati Ramanath - Has Pawel Keblinski and Linda Schadler and Richard Siegel -
of the 2013 Alfred been named the John Ganpati Ramanath - Richard Siegel - The Winner of the School of
H. Geisler Memorial Tod Horton ‘52 Professor Winners of the School Molecularium® Project, Engineering Outstanding
Award, for “Outstanding in Engineering, and a of Engineering Team NanoSpace received a Professor Award for 2013.
Contributions Fellow of the American Award for 2013 with “2013 Best of the Web”
to Fundamental Vacuum Society. He has co-researcher Theodorian award from the Center
Understanding of the also received the Friedrich Borca-Tasciuc of the for Digital Education, in
Structure and Properties Wilhem Bessel Research Mechanical, Aerospace, the category of Higher
of Amorphous Materials”. Prize, Alexander von and Nuclear Engineering Education Website.
The Geisler Award Humboldt Foundation Department.
recognizes an outstanding and the Brahm Prakash
young materials engineer Visiting Professorship, in
from the Eastern NY ASM the Materials Engineering The Molecularium®
Chapter. She is also a Department, Indian Project unveiled
recipient of an NSF Early Institute of Science, NanoSpace®, an
CAREER Award. Bangalore, India online “molecular
theme park”, winning
a “2013 Best of the
Web” award.
SPOTLIGHT ON
NANCY BEATTY
Nancy (Fowler) Beatty has been the face of our shone through. Invariably described as outgoing, helpful,
department since 1980. Whether you are an alumnus and knowledgeable, Nancy has earned many promotions
or a current student, you likely experienced her big and currently holds the title of Administrative Specialist.
smile and a cheery welcome as you entered the Department. Nancy’s commitment not only to the department but also
She has helped hundreds of students negotiate the RPI system the Institute can clearly be seen in her regular assistance with
and provided helpful advice to students in topics ranging from Convocation, Commencement, and numerous other campus
choice of courses, to choice of wedding venues. events. In fact, over the years she has missed only a handful of
Commencements - one of which was to join the audience of
Nancy began her career at Rensselaer as one of the department proud parents as her daughter Kristin received her bachelor’s
secretaries. It is hard to imagine this, but as part of this job degree in Communications.
she typed class notes, exams, and reports using an electric
typewriter, often having to change the print wheel several This year, Nancy began helping out in the new School of
times to accommodate the many symbols we now take for Engineering Student Services HUB (The HUB). With this new
granted using typical word processing software. role, her fantastic people skills, and high energy hospitality will
impact many first and second year students across the school
It wasn’t long though before she began working with of engineering. This year, we celebrate her many contributions
Professor John “Doc” Hudson in his capacity as the Graduate and thank her for all she has done for so many of us.
Program Director, where her devotion and care for students
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mse.rpi.edu
40
NEW FACULTY
CHAITANYA ULLAL YEARS OF
PROFESSOR ROGER WRIGHT
SERVICE TO RETIRE
In August 2013, the Department Professor Roger Wright will be
welcomed its latest faculty retiring in June 2014 after 40
member, Assistant Professor years of service at Rensselaer.
Chaitanya Ullal. His commitment to education,
to Rensselaer, and the students
Dr. Ullal received his Ph.D.
has been an invaluable asset
in Materials Science and
to the Department. His service
Engineering in 2005 at
has included two stints as
Massachusetts Institute of
acting Department chairman,
Technology (MIT), in the
11 years as director of the
polymer research group of
High Temperature Technology
Professor Ned Thomas, and
Program, and an active role in
then spent seven years as a
the faculty senate. His ability
Postdoctoral Associate in
to put the students first and
Göttingen at the Max Planck
to always have time to talk to
Institute for Biophysical
students was an example to us
Chemistry with Dr. Stefan Hell in the Department of
all. We wish him well on the
NanoBiophotonics.
next phase of his journey!
Dr. Ullal, who received his BTech in Metallurgical Engineering
Professor Wright received his BS in 1965 and his ScD in 1969,
and Materials Science in 1999 at the Indian Institute of
both from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After earning
Technology in Bombay, has also held visiting research
his degrees, he worked in industry for Allegheny Ludlum
appointments at Bell Laboratories while a graduate student
Research Center and Westinghouse Research Laboratories before
at MIT and in the Department of Electrical and Computer
joining Rensselaer in 1974.
Engineering at the University of Utah, between Göttingen and
Troy.
During his career at Rensselaer, Roger taught more than 170
His research focuses on innovative new methods for the courses and ~4,900 students in the classroom and supervised
fabrication and characterization of three-dimensionally over 45 masters theses and 15 Ph.D. student theses. He is also the
engineered nanostructures, which are of immediate relevance author of 9 patents, 1 book, over 200 publications and another
to the creation of new optical structures of importance in 200 presentations. He is a Fellow of ASM International and the
Rensselaer’s NSF Smart Lighting ERC. They also have great Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He is a four-time winner
potential for new biomaterials and for advanced materials for of the Wire Association International Yokelson Medal and was
energy storage and generation, thus supporting research areas that awarded the Mordica Memorial and Schneider Memorial Awards
are critical to the missions of our Department and the Institute. for outstanding contributions for the development of the world-
wide wire industry.
In his Ph.D. research at MIT, Chaitanya focused on developing
new 3D polymer structures for engineering the interaction of He has also been active in the community and served on the
optical and elastic waves, which is fundamental to the fields of Shenendehowa Central School District board for many years.
photonics and phononics. In his postdoctoral work in Germany, His love for music lead to him singing in several Glimmerglasss
he extended his intellectual reach into two new directions, the Opera productions, and with Albany Pro Musica, as well as
field of self-assembling materials and the invention of new 3D playing with the High Society big band.
optical imaging techniques that offer unprecedented special
resolution with important potential applications across a broad
Upon retirement, Professor Wright and his wife Patricia will be
spectrum of biological and materials fields.
returning to his hometown of Lawrenceville, Illinois.
Beyond his strong research activities, Chaitanya is also highly
committed to the education and mentoring of young people.
He serves on the Board of Directors of Iridescent, a non-profit
science education start-up in Los Angeles through which he has
demonstrated an on-going deep commitment to their mission of
inspiring girls and minority students to pursue STEM careers.
Welcome Professor Ullal!
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Rensselaer Department of Materials Science and Engineering