UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania — Three materials science and engineering Ph.D. I am one of the winners. Year.

Aiden Ross, Eric Farton, Maria Rochow.

Aiden Ross’ research focuses on ferroelectric nanomaterials and explores ways to develop new or enhanced applications. Working in the Materials Laboratory, Ross uses theory and computer simulations to explore how the shape, surface, and crystal structure of a material affect its properties.

Understanding this interaction is important for exploiting the unique properties that appear in nanostructures to generate new materials with unique properties, he said. Designing new materials may play an important role in targeted on-demand drug delivery, high-density dielectric energy storage, piezoelectric nanogenerators, and next-generation solid-state cooling devices.

“The most exciting thing about my research is getting the chance to follow my curiosity,” Ross said. “There are so many strange and exciting phenomena that can occur, and I am always interested in finding and testing new explanations. There are endless opportunities to find innovative solutions to

Ross hopes to use his research to create new and useful materials by investigating three-dimensional structures such as nanotubes, multi-walls and superlattices. He always wants to encourage more representation in the STEM field by communicating science beyond academic journals.

Furton studies the effect of defects such as pores on the mechanical behavior of additively manufactured metals. Understanding how defects affect materials is important for metalworking techniques such as welding, casting, and powder metallurgy. He said the beauty of his additive manufacturing is that it allows you to repeat defects, which gives you a better understanding of these defects and the failures that can arise from them.

“For example, you could put a 1 mm scratch in the center of the sample and compare it to a 2 mm scratch to see how the scratch weakened the material,” says Furton. “Then we run the simulations and see how well the simulations match the experiments. These discrepancies help us improve the model.

Furton said he is excited about the research because it has the potential to create lightweight, load-bearing structures. There is

Furton said the GRFP will provide the funding he needs to continue his passion for research. His goal is to delve deeper into research and understand the science behind discoveries while contributing to advances in the field.

Rochow studies how ions pass through ion-conducting polymer membranes. This technology is used in renewable energy applications such as batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.

Rochow said the fellowship gave her more flexibility in deciding which path she wanted to take with her research. It gives her time to explore the most pressing research questions she wants answered.

She looks forward to working at the forefront of exploration as the world transitions to sustainably sourced fuels. She is also fascinated by how the structural relationships of these materials can be manipulated to improve performance.

“I am a pioneer leading the next generation of scientists in finding solutions for a more sustainable and clean energy future by making meaningful contributions to the field of membrane science and to humanity itself more broadly. I aim to acquire the knowledge and skills to become a professional,” Rochow said.