Department of Materials Science and Engineering Passion for Discovery Foundation in Science In the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, we are committed to changing the world through discoveries and the development of new materials. We believe in creativity and have a passion for science. We are excited about the role materials will have in enabling future technology to solve important problems such as energy, health care, and security. We are educating the technology leaders of tomorrow to meet those challenges. Rensselaer has been known since its inception in 1824 as a place of acclaimed fundamental learning and academic advancement. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering strives to continue this tradition today through its world renowned faculty and their research. Through the wide range of teaching and researching expertise held by the department s faculty every student will face academic and investigatory rigor that will prepare them for the challenges that lay before them; whether that be in industry or academia. Committment to Education Our passion for research is matched by our committment to education. Our curriculum provides rigor and flexibility. Our students spend time at national laboratories, in industry, and at universities around the world on collaborative research. They are hired by premier research institutions, industry, and academe. Rensselaer alumni make a difference. Innovation in Engineering With the broadening of scope in materials science and engineering that took place in the 1960s, we were one of the first in the country to recognize the growing importance of non-metallic materials and the need for a comprehensive approach to materials problems. We are now leading the way with innovation in nanotechnology, fuel cells, and electronic materials.
A Letter from the Department Head of Materials Science and Engineering Dear Prospective Graduate Student, As head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, I welcome your application to the department. If you choose to join us, you will become a member of one of the oldest and most advanced departments in the nation. As you can see from even a cursory examination of this brochure or the Department s Web site, the opportunities for research range from the science of the production of modern steel to the synthesis and applications of nanostructured materials. The research that is being conducted is at the very forefront of modern materials science and engineering. In addition to being exposed to cutting edge research, you will be joining the Rensselaer family. A tremendous advantage to studying in our Department is the daily access to all members of the faculty, in addition to your direct faculty adviser(s). The Department s facilities and technical staff are also freely available to all of our graduate students. In making your decision to join us, you will be making one of the most important decisions of your professional career. Accordingly, I encourage you to make direct contact with any of our faculty either by telephone or electronically. Additionally, if you can make a personal visit to our campus, we will arrange visits with faculty members, as well as with your potential graduate student colleagues. Yours truly, David J. Duquette Professor and Head
History of Rensselaer and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering The Rensselaer School was established in Troy, New York, in 1824 by Stephen Van Rensselaer for the purpose of instructing persons... in the application of science to the common purposes of life. It is...the first school of science and school of civil engineering, which has had a continuous existence, to be established in any English-speaking country according to Palmer C. Ricketts in his preface to the second edition of his History of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1914). In 1833 the school became the Rensselaer Institute, and in the 1850s its purpose was broadened to become a polytechnic institution. The name was changed in 1861 to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to reflect the expanded curriculum and research. The Institute is currently a technological university comprised of five schools: Architecture, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Lally School of Management and Technology, and Science. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering traces its origins to 1933, when it was established as the Department of Metallurgical Engineering under the leadership of Professor Matthew A. Hunter, who was the first to develop a process to purify titanium. Some of the early experiments were carried out in the institute s football field. (See the online press release for more information.) Thus, from the very beginning the materials research conducted at Rensselaer was at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, and rapidly became known for its leadership in various fields of metallurgical engineering. In the post-war years the department built exceptional programs in welding, powder processing, mechanical metallurgy, solidification and corrosion, and mechanical metallurgy. In the 1960s and 1970s the department diversified to build programs focused on non-metallic materials glasses, ceramics, and polymers, thereby laying the foundation for the department s leadership role in composites and electronic materials in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, the pursuits retain the same vigor and quest for excellence, but encompass an even greater scope with programs not only cutting across materials classes, but also across disciplines, under the umbrella of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In addition to the traditional areas of strength, the program portfolio now includes nanocomposites, nanoelectronics, biomaterials, and a variety of applications in energy generation and storage. Thus, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is uniquely positioned at the cusp of many fields of science, engineering and technology. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering currently consists of 17 faculty, four of whom are recipients of the prestigious NSF Early Career Award. Many of the faculty members either lead, or play pivotal roles in research centers of excellence funded by federal, state, and industrial agencies, underscoring the strength and stature of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Rensselaer. For more information about the department, its statistics or for links to more information about Rensselaer visit our Web site.
Materials Science and Engineering Focus There has never been a more exciting time to study materials science and engineering. Recent breakthroughs in materials research are making the traditional distinctions among classes of materials obsolete and are creating new technological opportunities. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MS&E) offers graduate students unique opportunities for personal, one-on-one interaction with faculty members who are at the forefront of ground-breaking research. Research is supported by state-of-the-art facilities and equipment: one of the country s largest Class - 100 clean rooms in an academic institution; state-of-the-art facilities for microanalysis of materials including variants of electron and scanning probe microscopy (e.g., TEM, SEM,, AFM), electron, X-ray, and optical spectroscopy (XPS, AES, IR, Raman); a wide array of synthesis and processing tools for materials processing; and excellent computational resources including several research clusters as well as the new Computational Center for Nanotechnology Information. 5 µm (left to right): Micro trees, nano-halfmoons grown by glancing angle deposition, Nanocomposite (PET - Al 2 O 3 ) thin film. Current research themes focus on discovering, synthesizing, processing, assembling, and characterizing novel materials for pivotal and emerging technologies; understanding atomistic and molecular level phenomena, and relating them to key mechanical, electronic, magnetic, thermal, and optical properties through experimentation and computational modeling. Examples of materials systems include nanomaterials, biomaterials, electronic materials, metals, polymers, nanocomposites, and ceramics in bulk and thin film forms. Our research has applications in nanoelectronics, optical and magnetic devices, high strength and high temperature structures, biochemical sensing, energy generation, conversion, and storage. In addition to impacting many key commercial technologies, our research programs serve as platforms for multidisciplinary learning and collaborations across many fields of science and engineering. Multi-functional Carbon nanotube brush. Flexible, conducting nano skins.
Graduate Student Experience Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Students The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers our graduate students unique opportunities for personal, one-on-one interaction with faculty. Jaya Purswani I chose Materials Science and Engineering at RPI because of the reputation of the department, the cutting edge research, and the state of the art resources that are available. I m doing the research I want to do. The graduate program is quite rigorous, but the diverse group of people that you interact with is phenomenal. Research: Electron surface and interface scattering in copper interconnects Adviser: Daniel Gall, Ph.D. Background: B.S.E. Chemical Engineering Case Western Reserve University M.S.E. Chemical Engineering Case Western Reserve University Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering Rensselaer (anticipated graduation, May 2008) Douglas Dukes I returned to RPI for my Ph.D. because of the student-oriented education. Advisors and professors care just as much about the how the research will benefit the student s education as they do about the research itself - most schools only care about the research. As a result, you can ensure that your education is more complete and you can be certain, rather than hope, that you learned all the skills that someone in your field should know. Research: Optical properties of nanoparticle composites utilizing interfacially modified nanofillers Adviser: Linda Schadler, Ph.D. Background: B.S. Materials Science & Engineering - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute M.S. Materials - University of California, Santa Barbara Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering Rensselaer (Anticipated graduation, fall 2009) Justin Bult RPI and the Materials Department have given me opportunities I couldn t find at any other institution. The graduate program allows you to be both part of a diverse and intellectual group while still being flexible enough to afford you independence and responsibility. Research: Carbon nanotube composite structures and the characterization of interfacial zone interaction. Adviser: Pulickel Ajayan, Ph.D. and Linda Schadler, Ph.D. Background: B.S. Mechanical Engineering Colorado State University Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering Rensselaer (Anticipated graduation, August 2007) Our Alumni Are Making a Difference Rensselaer s graduate students are in positions of leadership throughout the country. They are hired in a variety of industries and sectors of the economy and by private and public organizations, the government, and institutions of higher education. We have alumni who are currently Deans of Engineering, Division Directors at National Laboratories, high-level executives in Industry, and distinguished faculty members as well as significant contributors in many areas of materials science and engineering.
The Faculty of the Materials Science and Engineering Department Douglas B. Chrisey, Professor Ph.D. Physics, University of Virginia Novel laser-based processing of all materials (PLD and MAPLE): from ceramic electronics to polymers to engineered tissue constructs; direct writing of materials including directed selfassembly harnessing biological molecules. (chrisd@rpi.edu) Alan W. Cramb, Professor; Dean, School of Engineering Ph.D. Metallurgy, University of Pennsylvania Solidification phenomena in liquid oxides, interfacial separation at liquid-liquid interfaces, refining limits in clean steel production. (cramb@rpi.edu) David J. Duquette, Professor and Department Head Ph.D. Metallurgy and Materials Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of metals and alloys, with special reference to studies of environmental interactions and semiconductor device microfabrication processes: aqueous and elevated temperature corrosion, chemical mechanical planarization, and electrodeposition of microdevice wiring. (duqued@rpi.edu) Glenn A. Eisman, Research Professor; Director, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research Center Ph.D. Physical Inorganic Chemistry, Northeastern University Fuel-cell and electrolytic processes, biofuel cells, materials and processes for hydrogen storage and generation. (eisman@rpi.edu) Daniel Gall, Assistant Professor Ph.D. Physics, University of Illinois Understand, control, and quantitatively model (at the atomic scale) surface reaction pathways, growth kinetics, and microstructural evolution of thin-film crystal growth from the vapor phase in order to design nanostructures with novel desired physical properties and functionalities. (galld@ rpi.edu) Pawel Keblinski, Associate Professor Ph.D. Physics, Pennsylvania State University Using atomic-level computational methods to study structure-property relationships in various materials, with a focus on modeling of mechanical response, mass and thermal transport in interfacial and nanostructured materials, including carbon- and silicon-based systems, polymer nanocomposites suspension of nanoparticles (nanofluids), and solid-solid interfaces related to microelectronic applications. (keblip@rpi.edu) Daniel Lewis, Assistant Professor Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University Physical metallurgy, solidification, wetting behavior, phase transformations, high-temperature structural materials for aircraft engines and fuel-cell systems. (lewisd2@rpi.edu)
The Faculty of the Materials Science and Engineering Department Robert W. Messler Jr., Professor Ph.D. Physical Metallurgy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Development and characterization of environmentally friendly Pb-free solders, including thermo-mechanical fatigue; laser-based soldering; hybrid welding and adhesive bonding, i.e., weld-bonding; joining of dissimilar combinations of metals, ceramics, and inter-metallics using exothermic chemical reactions (e.g., combustion synthesis) under pressure. (messlr@rpi.edu) Aleksandar G. Ostrogorsky, Professor Sc.D. Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Materials processing and related heat and mass transfer phenomena occurring on earth, in space (microgravity), and under strong magnetic fields. (ostroa@rpi.edu) Rahmi Ozisik, Assistant Professor Ph.D. Polymer Science, University of Akron Processing, characterization, and modeling of polymeric systems: coarse-graining methods and multiscale modeling, modeling of polymers and proteins using Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics, structure and dynamics of nanoparticle-filled polymer composites, surfaces and interfaces of polymer nanocomposites. (ozisik@rpi.edu) Nag Patibandla, Research Professor, Director Center for Future Energy Systens Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, Rutgers University Synthesis/Processing of Novel Structural and Electronic Materials via Chemical Vapor Deposition/ Infiltration (CVD/CVI) for Bulk, Coating, or Thin Film Applications. Development of Innovative Processing Routes (ex: Reactive Vapor Infiltration of MoSi2). High Temperature Oxidation. Kinetic and Thermodynamic Analysis of Chemical Interactions. Diffusional Transport in Metals and Oxide Ceramics. Surface Analysis and Electron Microscopy. (patibn@rpi.edu) Ganapathiraman Ramanath, Professor Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Directed synthesis and assembly of mesoscale heterostructures from nanoscopic building blocks, and thin-film interface engineering. The emphasis is on creating new materials, architectures to access novel properties for future devices and energy applications, and understanding atomic-/ molecular-level relationships between structure, chemistry and properties. (ramanath@rpi.edu) Linda S. Schadler, Professor Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania Properties of polymer nanocomposites with an emphasis on designed interfaces for tailored properties including mechanical, optical, and electrical response. (schadl@rpi.edu)
The Faculty of the Materials Science and Engineering Department Mutsuhiro Shima, Assistant Professor Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park Nanostructure and properties relationship of novel magnetic and magnetoelectronic materials, including multi-layered, patterned, and self-assembled nanoscale structures, wires, and particles, for future applications such as data storage and sensor devices. (shima@rpi.edu) Richard W. Siegel, Robert W. Hunt Professor of Materials Science and Engineering; Director, Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center and NSF - NSEC for Directed Assembly of Nanostructures Ph.D. Metallurgy, University of Illinois at Urbana Synthesis and processing, characterization, properties, and applications of nanostructured materials, including ceramics, metals, composites, and biomaterials; creation of nanoscale building blocks, especially inorganic nanoparticles. (rwsiegel@rpi.edu) Christoph O. Steinbruchel, Associate Professor Ph.D. Chemical Physics, University of Minnesota Electronic materials: processing of thin films of these materials and on their characterization, particularly the deposition of films with desired structure and properties, the carving out of miniature devices from such films by selective and anisotropic etching, and the interactions at the interface between two films. (steinc@rpi.edu) Minoru Tomozawa, Professor Ph.D. Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Pennsylvania Origin of glass memory effect, measurement of fictive temperature of glasses, effect of fictive temperature on mechanical strength of glasses, glasses with fictive-temperature-independent volume, mechanism of water diffusion, rare-earth doped glasses, measurement of defects in glasses, glass cutting with water jet. (tomozm@rpi.edu) Roger N. Wright, Professor Sc.D. Metallurgy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Mechanical and thermal processing of materials, with emphasis on data and physical understanding needed for process modeling: friction-lubrication-surface quality interactions in metalworking, particularly with regard to drawing of copper and aluminum wire, and forming of steel sheet for automotive applications. (wrighr@rpi.edu)
Affiliated Research Centers The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is affiliated with a number of Research Centers and they are a critical part of the interdisciplinary culture on Rensselaer s campus. We encourage you to visit these centers online. Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center The Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center brings together a diverse group of scientists and engineers who are manipulating the structure of materials on the atomic and molecular scale to access novel properties. Researchers and their students are learning to produce nanomaterials in controlled ways, to incorporate them into unique polymer and ceramic composites, and to assemble them into complex structures that are expected to revolutionize almost every aspect of life, including electronics, medicine, communications, and transportation. The Center receives more than $6 million a year in funding, including federal and state agencies and industry as well as the National Science Foundation - funded Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for Directed Assembly of Nanostructures. Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations (CCNI) The nanoelectronics industry is reaching physical limits and the technical and cost constraints are limiting growth. At the same time advances in bio- and nano-technology, as well as experimental and simulation science, are expanding our understanding of processes from the atomic scale. However, engineering practice has lagged behind and does not offer the ability to take advantage of this new understanding. To address these needs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, International Business Machines (IBM), and New York state have joined together to establish a unique research and computational center to provide leadership in nanotechnology modeling and simulation. This center will focus on reducing time and costs associated with design to manufacturing and producing new integrated predictive design tools for nano-scale devices. Center for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research Today s fuel cell and hydrogen-related research and development initiatives will generate solutions for alternative energy technologies when fossil-based fuels become less attractive. The initiatives and potential solutions will impose significant challenges for years to come as new forms of energy management come into play. Since the changes represent paradigm shifts, many of the solutions will emerge from fundamental materials research and engineering. The Fuel Cell Center coordinates and facilitates research efforts on campus by coupling the fuel cell and hydrogen research needs with the activities of individual faculty members. Center for Future Energy Systems The mission of the Center for Future Energy Systems is to benefit the energy industry of New York state by focusing on research and development, technology transfer, economic development, workforce training, and entrepreneurial support. Center for Integrated Electronics The Center for Integrated Electronics, (CIE) was created to carry out industry-oriented research in electronics design and manufacturing, on-chip interconnect, and the development and utilization of electronic media. It is an umbrella organization hosting interdisciplinary microelectronics research. CIE emphasizes all aspects of integrated electronics and electronics manufacturing (from the chip-board-system levels) and now adds the application of electronics to create interactive learning materials which will revolutionize the way technology is used at all levels - from young child to senior citizens. Center for Multiphase Research Rensselaer s Interdisciplinary Center for Multiphase Research (CMR) is the premier group in the country for performing multiphase research. The CMR has assembled a large and dynamic group of scientists and engineers dedicated to exploring and exploiting new developments in every conceivable aspect of multiphase flow and heat transfer technology. The CMR coordinates the diverse activities of these researchers and facilitates the cross-disciplinary exchange of information, as well as technology transfer to industry. Scientific Computation Research Center The Scientific Computation Research Center (SCOREC) is a focal point for cutting-edge development of advanced computational techniques. SCOREC s main goal is to develop reliable simulation technologies for engineers, scientists, medical professionals, and other practitioners. These advancements enable experts in their fields to employ, appraise, and evaluate the behavior of physical, chemical, and biological systems of interest. SCOREC scientists are developing multiscale modeling methods, adaptive simulation methods for reliable solutions, and computational technologies that provide an efficient and extensible software environment. They also are supporting simulation system construction and validation for application areas as they are developed.
Graduate Study Information The Department offers Doctoral, Master of Science (M.S.), and Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degrees. All graduate students must complete an 18 credit core curriculum comprised of five advanced courses in thermodynamics, kinetics, structure, mechanical behavior, and electronic properties of materials. Both the M.S. and the M.Eng. degrees require the completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours. M.S. students must complete six additional course credits (two courses) beyond the core courses. Six credits of research work leading to an M.S. thesis are also required. Students pursuing an M.Eng. degree must complete at least 21 credits of materials science and engineering courses. These include the core courses and one additional graduate course. A capstone independent study project is also required. A minimum of 27 credits in course work is required for the Ph.D. degree in materials engineering. In addition to the core course requirements, three additional graduate level science or engineering courses are required. The student must pass an oral preliminary examination and an oral candidacy examination, before defending his / her Ph.D. thesis. Fellowships and Financial Aid Financial aid is available in the forms of teaching and research assistantships, which include tuition scholarships and stipends. Rensselaer assistantships and university, corporate, or national fellowships fund many of Rensselaer s full-time graduate students. Outstanding students may qualify for universitysponsored Rensselaer Graduate Fellowship Awards. Please visit Rensselaer s Graduate Admissions Web site for the latest information about cost of attendance and sources of funding. Housing Graduate students at Rensselaer may choose from a variety of housing options both on and off campus. A wide range of leased properties are available within walking distance of the main campus. The Rensselaer Student Union maintains a search engine for apartments for rent. See also the regional renter s guide to find information about apartment complexes in the area. Location Located just ten miles northeast of Albany, New York state s capital city, Rensselaer s historic 275-acre campus sits on a hill overlooking the city of Troy, New York, and the Hudson River. The area offers a relaxed lifestyle with many cultural and recreational opportunities, with easy access to both the high-energy metropolitan centers of the Northeast such as Boston, New York City, and Montreal, Canada and the quiet beauty of the neighboring Adirondack Mountains. Application Timeline The admission deadline for the fall semester is January, 1 st and for the spring semester it is August 31 st. Basic admission requirements are the submission of a completed application form (available online), the required application fee ($75), a statement of background and goals, official transcripts, official scores on the GRE General Test, TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable), and two letters of recommendation. Department of Materials Science and Engineering Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 8th Street, Troy, New York 12180 USA Phone: (518) 276-6372 Fax: (518) 276-8554 E-mail: materials@rpi.edu Web site: http://www.eng.rpi.edu/mse/facts.cfm 0707 10269