Why Some Perovskite Solar Materials Fall Apart Under Thermal Evaporation — And What It Means for Solar Tech Metal halide perovskites are a class of materials that have captured huge interest in solar energy research because of their remarkable ability to convert sunlight into electricity. In less than a decade, perovskite solar cells have achieved […]
Materials Science and Engineering
Turning UV Into Visible Light: A New Twist on Zinc Oxide
Bright new light from old material: Zinc Oxide + PVA Scientists have long known that Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is a useful material — it’s cheap, abundant, and has been used in everything from electronics to sunscreens. But ZnO’s natural glow is mostly in ultraviolet (UV), which isn’t helpful for everyday lighting. SpringerLink+1 A recent study, […]
Solid-State Batteries Made Faster, Cleaner, and Smarter
If you’re interested in energy technology, materials science, or sustainable engineering, this research conducted by Dr. Kyle Brinkman and his research group members, Rahul Rajeev and Dr. Abhaya Mishra, is a great example of how clever chemistry and materials processing can unlock next-generation battery performance. It’s not just about “make something new” — it’s about […]
Materials Science and Engineering Welcomes New External Advisory Board Member
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is pleased to welcome our newest external advisory board member, Dr. Ramesh Kesh, Senior Vice President of the Textiles Division at Milliken & Company. The external advisory board meets each semester to provide guidance on strengthening our curriculum, enhancing student recruitment efforts, expanding industry partnerships, and supporting the […]
Materials Science and Engineering hosted its annual homecoming tailgate on November 1.
MSE students, faculty, and alumni gathered for great food, fun activities, and plenty of conversation. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces—and to meet new ones, too. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, and a special shout-out to our Materials Advantage officers for their help and support. Your energy […]
Chilling with Lasers: Cooling Fiber Optics Using Light
Most of the time, when we think about lasers and light, we imagine them heating things up—not cooling them down. But a recent study shows that certain optical fibers can cool when illuminated with the right kind of laser light. This effect, called anti-Stokes fluorescence cooling, could someday help control heat in high-power lasers and […]
Congratulations to the 2025–2026 AATCC Foundation Scholars
Three students from Clemson’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) have been recognized as 2025–2026 AATCC Foundation Scholars. In addition to receiving financial support for their studies, each scholar will enjoy complimentary registration for the Fabricating the Future Conference and a one-year AATCC membership—offering valuable opportunities to connect with industry professionals and strengthen their […]
Capillary Interactions Drive Actin Bundling by Protein Condensates
Cells rely on networks of biopolymers (like Actin filament) that are organized by special proteins to carry out functions such as changing shape, moving, or transporting cargo. RSC Publishing+1 A newer idea is that protein “condensates” (liquid-like droplets of proteins) can join in this organization. MSE professors, Dr. Kim Weirich, Dr. Konstantin Kornev, and their […]
Bio-Inspired Engineering: The Butterfly Proboscis as a Model for Hydraulic Micro Devices
Butterflies and moths are admired for their colorful wings, but it’s their feeding tube — the proboscis — that’s catching engineers’ attention. A 2025 study involving MSE Professor Dr. Kostya Kornev and his research team revealed that this delicate structure acts like a miniature hydraulic spring, offering inspiration for advanced micro-scale technologies. The proboscis is […]
Clemson Materials Advantage Chapter Strengthens Leadership and Networks at MS&T 2025
The officers of the Clemson Materials Advantage chapter had the incredible opportunity to attend the Materials Science & Technology (MS&T) 2025 Conference in Columbus, Ohio, alongside students and professionals from across the nation. During the conference, the officers participated in student-focused symposia featuring the poster competition, as well as the always exciting ceramic mug drop […]
A cool combo of magnetism + glow
Scientists from Clemson University Materials Science & Engineering and several international collaborators — Md. Shamiull Alim Munna, Md. Mazharul Islam, Mohammad Ahasanur Rabbi, O. Thompson Mefford (MSE), Alexander Malaj (Mefford Group), Md. Shahidul Islam, Hasan Ahmad, and Md. Mahbubor Rahman — recently published a study in RSC Advances that combines magnetism and fluorescence into a […]
Clemson Researchers Explore How Atoms Behave at the Edges of Metal Crystals
A new study co-authored by Y. Wang, Jacob Jeffries, Dr. Enrique Martinez Saez, S. Mathaudhu, E. Marqui and Fadi Abdeljawad and published in the Journal of Materials Science explores how atoms arrange themselves at the tiny boundaries between crystals in advanced metal alloys. These boundaries—called grain boundaries—play a major role in determining a material’s strength, […]
Clemson MSE Students Take Leadership Roles in the American Ceramic Society
Two of our outstanding Ph.D. candidates in Materials Science and Engineering, Nakeshma Cassel (Brinkman Group) and Deeksha Kodangal (Bordia Group), are proudly serving as delegates on the President’s Council for Student Affairs (PCSA) — a student-led organization within the American Ceramic Society (ACerS). The PCSA’s mission is to empower students to become active, engaged, and […]
Clemson Grad Students Shine at 2025 MS&T Conference
Congratulations to Oriyomi Opetubo (Aidhy Group) and Deeksha Kodangal (Bordia Group) for winning the Graduate Excellence in Materials Science (GEMS) awards at the 2025 Materials Science & Technology (MS&T) conference! The Basic Science Division organizes the annual GEMS awards to honor exceptional graduate students who demonstrate outstanding research achievements in Materials Science and Engineering. The […]
Building Bridges: MSE Hosts Mini Career Fair
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) recently hosted a mini-career fair that brought together 35 undergraduate and graduate students with industry leaders and alumni. The event provided a unique opportunity for students to gain firsthand insight into the professional world of MSE. Industry representatives and alumni shared valuable advice on resumes, interviewing, co-ops, […]
