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

Learn more

 

two students fill a flask at a piece of lab equipment

Department Website
Mark Cooper
614-292-7280
cooper.73@osu.edu