Materials Science and Engineering
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is ranked among the top programs of its kind in the world and enjoys the respect of industry leaders and academicians worldwide. From its beginnings in ceramic and metallurgical engineering, the department has grown to encompass the study of nanotechnology, exotic composite materials, fuel cells, advanced structural materials, biomaterials and more.
Student Life
Students have said, “this is family!” when describing the Materials Science and Engineering program at Ohio State. The program offers students both a small, nurturing environment and all the benefits of a major academic research institution. Our graduate student-to-faculty ratio is approximately 4:1, so whether in the classroom, the lab or at one of the department’s many social events, students have frequent access to some of the leading authorities in materials science and engineering.
Financial Support for All Students
The Materials Science and Engineering department is strongly committed to graduate education. Students graduate from the program with the necessary skills to succeed in the field and make significant contributions in research, development and the application of advanced materials. All graduate program students are sponsored by research grants, fellowships or corporate funding. The majority of graduate students are supported by Graduate Research Associateship positions. GRA positions allow students to focus on their academic pursuits while gaining important research experience.
GRA positions receive:
- Full payment of tuition expenses
- Monthly stipend
- 85% of health insurance premiums covered by the GRA project
- Full payment of lab and research costs
- Use of advanced equipment only available at a major research university
- Total annual value of this position can exceed $56,000
Research
Faculty Research Areas
- Biomaterials
- Fuel Cells
- Nanotechnology
- Corrosion Prevention and Control
- Microstructure and Property Relationships in Materials
- Mechanical Properties and Responses to Deformation
- Materials Characterization
- Materials Performance
- Materials Forming and Heat Treatment in Manufacturing
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, including Superconductors and Sensors
Research Capabilities
- Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Analytical Services
- Microstructural Characterization
- Corrosion Research
- Thermal Analysis
- High-Temperature Equilibria and Kinetic Measurements
- Wear Testing and Characterization
- Mechanical Testing and Forming
- Ceramic Processing
- Solidification and Liquid Processing
- Sensors and Measurements
- Superconducting Materials and Characterization
- Thin Film Preparation and Characterization
Research Centers
The MSE department is home to six acclaimed centers:
Center for Accelerated Maturation of Materials
CAMM integrates computational methods with experimental techniques to speed the lengthy development time involved in bringing a theoretical material through the development stage to final fabrication and use. Director: Hamish Fraser
Center for Emergent Materials
CEM performs integrated research on emergent materials and phenomena in magnetoelectronics, creating new paradigms in computing and information storage. Education is an important component of the research activities conducted at CEM, which is a National Science Foundation-supported Materials Research Science and Engineering Center. Director: Nitin Padture
Fontana Corrosion Center
The FCC focuses on the study of aqueous corrosion in an effort to protect materials from the harmful effects of degradation. Directors: Jerry Frankel and Rudy Buchheit
Fuel Cell Research Center
The FCRC is a newly-funded State of Ohio initiative that seeks to provide R&D support for the growing fuel cell community. This includes research leadership in various cell fields, cell manufacture, and cell integration. Director: John Lannutti
Center for Superconducting and Magnetic Materials
CSMM researches the processing and properties of superconducting wires for high magnetic field applications. Directors: Ted Collings and Mike Sumption
Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center
NSEC carries out advanced research at the nanometer scale. Currently, most nanotechnology research remains exploratory, and commercialization is hindered by the need for mass-producible, reliable and affordable manufacturing processes. NSEC develops affordable manufacturing methods to form, reinforce, bond and assemble polymer structures at the nanoscale for biomedical and other applications. Director: John Lannutti