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Highlights

Highlights

Figure 1. (A) In operando X-ray characterization of LCE alignment during printing. (B) Radially-resolved alignment for LCE filaments printed at Wimax = 0.5 (top images) and orientational order parameter across LCE filament radius (bottom plot). (C) Average orientational order parameter in printed LCEs as a function of Wimax alongside compared to theory. (D) Tensile stress as a function of strain. (E) Actuation strain measured parallel to print path versue temperature.
Figure 1. (A) In operando X-ray characterization of LCE alignment during printing. (B) Radially-resolved alignment for LCE filaments printed at Wimax = 0.5 (top images) and orientational order parameter across LCE filament radius (bottom plot). (C) Average orientational order parameter in printed LCEs as a function of Wimax alongside compared to theory. (D) Tensile stress as a function of strain. (E) Actuation strain measured parallel to print path versue temperature.
May 2, 2025
Harvard University

Spatially Programmed Alignment and Actuation in Printed Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Jennifer Lewis, Caitlyn Cook (LLNL) and Ronald Pindak (BNL)
Aligned liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are soft materials that exhibit reversible actuation akin to human muscles when thermally cycled above their nematic-to-isotropic transition temperature. Lewis and collaborators studied the effects of LCE ink composition, nozzle geometry, and printing parameters on director alignment.
(a) Surface functionalization of 2D WSe2 with trifluoromethyl groups is achieved using an electrophilic trifluoromethylation reagent. (b,c) Atomic force microscopy images before and after trifluoromethylation confirm uniform functionalization.
(a) Surface functionalization of 2D WSe2 with trifluoromethyl groups is achieved using an electrophilic trifluoromethylation reagent. (b,c) Atomic force microscopy images before and after trifluoromethylation confirm uniform functionalization.
Apr 21, 2025
Big Idea: Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier

2D Semiconductor Electronic Property Tuning via Trifluoromethylation

IRG-2, Northwestern University MRSEC
Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors are promising materials for next-generation electronic and iontronic devices. As a consequence of their ultrathin dimensions, 2D materials offer the opportunity for continued device scaling while avoiding the short-channel effects that hinder bulk semiconductors.
Modular Protein Scaffolds Enable Tunable Matrix Materials
Modular Protein Scaffolds Enable Tunable Matrix Materials
Apr 21, 2025
Big Idea: Synthetic Materials Biology

Modular Protein Scaffolds Enable Tunable Matrix Materials

IRG-1, Northwestern University MRSEC
Northwestern University IRG-1 has identified novel protein building blocks that form high-aspect ratio structures with genetic-level programmability and tunability.
(Left) Schematic of three different elastoresistivity techniques. (Right) The temperature dependence of the elastoresistivity coefficients of CsV3Sb5. The A1g isotropic coefficient shows a diverging response, whereas the E2g anisotropic coefficient shows a weak and temperature independent response.
(Left) Schematic of three different elastoresistivity techniques. (Right) The temperature dependence of the elastoresistivity coefficients of CsV3Sb5. The A1g isotropic coefficient shows a diverging response, whereas the E2g anisotropic coefficient shows a weak and temperature independent response.
Apr 4, 2025
Big Idea: Quantum Leap

MEM-C IRG-2: Absence of E2g Nematic Instability and Dominant A1g Response in Kagome Metal CsV3Sb5

Jihui Yang, Xiaodong Xu, Jiun-Haw Chu
Electronic nematicity, the spontaneous breaking of crystalline rotational symmetry, has been discovered in several strongly correlated electronic systems, including high Tc superconductors. Recently, several studies have suggested that the charge density wave in the kagome superconductor CsV3Sb5 breaks rotational symmetry—an intriguing possibility, as it would be a rare example of “three-state Potts nematicity,” in which there are three possible orientations in a hexagonal lattice. Here, we report that  CsV3Sb5 is probably not nematic, but it is very sensitive to isotropic strain.
Synthesis of colloidal CuCr2Se4 NCs starts with formation of copper selenide NCs followed by slow in-diffusion of Cr3+ to form the spinel. Colloidal annealing activates ferrimagnetism. A TEM image of single-crystalline CuCr2Se4 NCs, and 300K magnetic circular dichroism results showing strong near-IR magneto-optical response.
Synthesis of colloidal CuCr2Se4 NCs starts with formation of copper selenide NCs followed by slow in-diffusion of Cr3+ to form the spinel. Colloidal annealing activates ferrimagnetism. A TEM image of single-crystalline CuCr2Se4 NCs, and 300K magnetic circular dichroism results showing strong near-IR magneto-optical response.
Apr 4, 2025
Big Idea: Quantum Leap

MEM-C IRG-1: Ferrimagnetic CuCr2Se4 Nanocrystals with Strong Room-Temperature Magnetic Circular Dichroism

Brandi Cossairt, Daniel R. Gamelin, Jiun-Haw Chu
Magnetic materials are vital in technologies from spintronics to biomedicine. Coupling magnetism with optical responses broadens their utility to sensing, magneto-optical memory, and optical isolation. Chromium chalcogenide spinels display particularly rich magnetism and magneto-optical properties. Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) offer routes to solution-processing, heterointegration, and property modulation through size, shape, or heterostructure control, but many chalcogenide spinels have never been synthesized at the nanoscale, and little control over size or morphology has been demonstrated.
CAMM Partners with ORNL to Host “Neutron Day”
CAMM Partners with ORNL to Host “Neutron Day”
Jan 22, 2025
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

CAMM Partners with ORNL to Host “Neutron Day”

CAMM’s ECOR Team & Antonio dos Santos of ORNL coordinated the event
UTK-MRSEC The Center for Advanced Materials & Manufacturing partnered with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to host the inaugural "Neutron Day," an event designed to deepen collaboration and foster interdisciplinary research connections.
Quantum Materials and Machine Learning Workshop
Quantum Materials and Machine Learning Workshop
Jan 22, 2025
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Quantum Materials and Machine Learning Workshop

Yang Zhang (UTK-MRSEC), Jacob Gayles (USF), Yishu Wang (UTK-MRSEC), David Mandrus (UTK-MRSEC / Oak Ridge), Student Organizer - Louis Primeau (UTK-MRSEC)
The recent Quantum Materials and Machine Learning Workshop brought together 22 invited speakers and in total 50 graduate students, postdoc, faculty attendees from 18 different institutions for an intensive exploration of cutting-edge developments at the intersection of quantum physics, materials science, and machine learning. The program featured established researchers alongside three postdoctoral fellows, fostering meaningful dialogue between different career stages.
CDCM Industrial Mentorship Program Prepares Students for the Workforce of Tomorrow
CDCM Industrial Mentorship Program Prepares Students for the Workforce of Tomorrow
Jun 13, 2024
Big Idea: Quantum Leap

CDCM Industrial Mentorship Program Prepares Students for the Workforce of Tomorrow

The Industrial Mentorship Program connects undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to a PhD level mentor in industry. This program is designed to (i) expose participants to fundamental research as it relates to societal and economic development; (ii) enable them to broaden their networks; and (iii) facilitate a successful transition into the workforce. The Industrial Mentor program entered its sixth program cycle during 2023-2024 and since its inception, 147 students have participated as mentees in the program, with 30 of those from the CIMA PREM at Texas State University.
K-5 Research Experience for Teachers (RET)
K-5 Research Experience for Teachers (RET)
Jun 13, 2024
University of Texas at Austin

K-5 Research Experience for Teachers (RET)

CDCM’s Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program engages elementary school teachers in materials research at UT Austin during the summer and has created lasting impact over the past six years. The program aims to increase teacher efficacy in research practices and guide teachers in integrating what they learn into their instructional practice. The end goals are to enhance students’ engagement in science and increase students’ awareness of and interest in STEM fields.  
Nonlinear Rheological Behavior of Dynamic Covalent Gels
Nonlinear Rheological Behavior of Dynamic Covalent Gels
Jun 13, 2024
University of Texas at Austin

Nonlinear Rheological Behavior of Dynamic Covalent Gels

Hydrogels with dynamic linkers have garnered intense interest for applications that require flow, including injectable delivery vehicles and 3D bioprinting inks. However, to fully enable these applications, there remains a need to understand how linking chemistry affects gelation and nonlinear rheological properties. To probe this relationship, UT Austin MRSEC researchers developed synthetic multi-arm polyethylene glycol (PEG) gels linked with dynamic covalent bonds.

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