Program Highlights

UT Austin MRSEC researchers show that ferroelectric polar domains formed in a twisted hexagonal boron nitride (t-hBN) substrate can modulate light emission from an adjacent semiconductor monolayer. The abrupt change in electrostatic potential across the domains produces an in-plane electric field (E-field) and leads to a remarkably large exciton Stark shift in the adjacent MoSe2 monolayer, previously only observable in p-n junctions created by the advanced e-beam lithography tools. Both the spectrum and spatial pattern of the light emission of the monolayer are periodically modulated by the remote moire potential imposed by the t-hBN substrate.

CDCM has designed and launched one of the few materials science podcasts available to the public. The first season will feature 6 episodes where the podcast host, Abbey Stanzione, interviews CDCM MRSEC faculty about their educational backgrounds, pathway into academia and their cutting edge materials science research.

THz emission spectroscopy developed at UIUC is used to investigate spin current generation in the antiferromagnetic metal FeRh under ultrafast laser excitation. The transient spin current in FeRh can be extracted from the emitted THz field. Developing viable platforms for the transduction between charge and spin current is crucial for spintronic based electronic devices. The Illinois MRSEC's work investigates FeRh as one such platform.

In February 2024, I-MRSEC investigator Daniel Shoemaker, grad student Emily Waite, and outreach coordinator Pamela Pena Martin taught 35 7th and 8th graders at  Franklin STEAM Academy, a Champaign public middle school, about magnetism through a kit they developed, supported by the I-MRSEC and a grant from the APS Group on Magnetism and its Applications. This visit was part of an annual 7-week program that teaches materials science concepts through hands-on activities aimed to build interest and confidence in STEM.

A critical element of Northwestern University MRSEC IRG-1 is interfacing cell-free systems with abiotic materials in a way that supports cell-free reaction efficiency and kinetics. In this work, the capacity of bilayer-based compartments (e.g., liposomes, polymersomes) is being assessed to support encapsulated cell-free reactions upon their inclusion in a larger hydrogel matrix.

Northwestern University MRSEC IRG-2 has realized ultra-high-density and mechanically flexible vertical organic electrochemical transistor (vOECT) arrays and complementary circuits through  electron-beam patterning of the conjugated organic semiconductors by electron-beam exposure. The high energy electron-beam disrupts the conjugation in the exposed organic semiconductor area, creating an electronic insulator while retaining ionic conductivity and topological continuity with the redox-active unexposed areas.

The Imaging and Analysis Center (IAC), supported by PCCM, is a world-leading facility for materials characterization. Its central mission is the education, research, and training of students at Princeton University and beyond. The IAC also collaborates with researchers in industry and other academic institutes.

The Imaging and Analysis Center (IAC) supported by PCCM is a world-leading facility for materials characterization. Its central mission is the education, research, and training of students at Princeton University and beyond. The IAC also collaborates with researchers in industry and other academic institutes.

The 2023 Holiday Science Lecture “A World of Patterns” was held at Princeton University on December 9, 2023 with over 400 people attending two lectures at McDonnell Hall. Howard Stone and other PCCM researchers (including graduate student and postdoctoral presenters) illustrated ideas of shape, symmetry, packing and pattern formation.

The 2022 Holiday Science Lecture “Engine Earth” was held at Princeton University on December 3, 2022 with over 500 people attending two lectures at McDonnell Hall.