Video showing students and faculty in the Materials Science and Engineering department engaged in research, lab work, and classroom activities.
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Materials Science and
Engineering
Core Faculty
TMI's core faculty lead cutting-edge research by running their grants through the institute, fostering collaboration and resource sharing.
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Graduate Program
Our Materials Science and Engineering program is one of the best in the nation, and our graduates go on to be leaders in their fields.
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Research
TMI supports interdisciplinary research at UT Austin, with over 100 faculty focusing on clean energy, nanotechnology, and advanced materials using our state-of-the-art facilities.
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Equipment
Instrument Capabilities
The electrospinning system is a homemade system and it is used to fabricate polymer composite nanoscale fibers. Variables: flow rate, distance between the plates, needle gauge, voltage (up to 20kV).
Fees and Policies
- UT Users: $25/hour
- Higher Education/State Agencies: $150/hour
- Corporate/External Users: $150/hour
Traning
Please contact Dr. Raluca Gearba to schedule a training session.
Instrument Capabilities
The Hitachi S-5500 SEM is a high-resolution scanning electron microscope capable of achieving sub-nanometer resolution for detailed characterization of material surfaces and nanostructures. In addition to conventional SEM imaging, the instrument is equipped with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) mode, enabling imaging of thin specimens in transmission.
The Duo-STEM bright-field (BF) and dark-field (DF) detector allows simultaneous acquisition and observation of BF and DF STEM images, providing complementary structural information. The instrument is also equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) system, which enables elemental identification and chemical composition analysis of materials at the nanometer scale.
The microscope is also equipped with an air-sensitive specimen holder, allowing samples that are sensitive to air or moisture to be transferred and examined while minimizing exposure to ambient conditions. This capability is particularly useful for air-sensitive, moisture-sensitive, and reactive materials.
Fees and Policies
- UT Users: $38/hour
- Higher Education/State Agencies: $63/hour
- Corporate/External Users: $63/hour
Traning
Users should register for the required in-person training course through UTLearn.
Instrument Capabilities
FEI Quanta 650 ESEMFEI Quanta 650 SEM features three imaging modes- high vacuum, low vacuum, and environmental SEM (ESEM), which enables charge-free imaging, and microanalysis of non-conductive specimens without preparation.
Fees and Policies
- UT Users: $35/hour
- Higher Education/State Agencies: $89/hour
- Corporate/External Users: $89/hour
Traning
Users should register for the required in-person training course through UTLearn.
Information the Equipment Can Provide
Coming soon
Fees and Policies
- UT Users: $31/hour
- Higher Education/State Agencies: $54/hour
- Corporate/External Users: $46/hour
To become a new user of this facility, please read the Instrument Reservation Information page. If you are already a user you can make a reservation in FBS.
To become a user of this instrument you must first complete the Cleanroom Safety Class. Please contact the facility manager to schedule a training session.
Texas Materials Seminar Series
The Texas Materials Seminar Series features MSE 397 Seminars, TMI Distinguished Lectureships, and TMI Special Seminars, where leading faculty and professionals from around the world share cutting-edge innovations and advancements in materials engineering with our students.
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$12M+
In Grant Funding
20+
Research Patents
10K+
Sq. Ft. of Research Labs
News
Zhantao Chen Publishes New Article on AI-assisted Tool
Zhantao Chen, an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering and a TMI-affiliate, has published an article on an AI tool in Nature Machine Intelligence. The article used AI to help researchers in ways that would assist in experimental tasks that are often labor-intensive and tiresome.
Terry Zheng & Yu Group Publish New Work on Water-Based Electrolytes
Materials Science and Engineering graduate student Tianrui (Terry) Zheng, under the supervision of Dr. Guihua Yu has published research in Advanced Materials introducing a biphasic electrolyte architecture that combines the strengths of water-based (aqueous) and organic-based electrolytes for long-duration, high-rate zinc metal batteries.
Get Better Sleep With Ultrasound Patch That Boosts REM Rest
A wearable bioelectronic device increased REM sleep in real-world trials, without invasive surgery or medication.
Published by UT News.
Yuebing Zheng Awarded 'New Directions' Seed Funding from UT OVPR
Yuebing Zheng was awarded seed funding through the University's Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors. The 'New Directions in Research' grants are one time payments that give faculty an opportunity to obtain proof-of-concept or pilot data for future, larger grants.
Terry Zheng Awarded UT Chevron Energy Graduate Fellowship
Tianrui (Terry) Zheng, a Materials Science & Engineering graduate student working with Dr. Guihua Yu, is a recipient of the 2026-2027 UT Chevron Energy Graduate Fellows Award from UT's Energy Institute.
