News
April 30, 2025
Simranjeet Singh and Jyoti Katoch Advance Spintronics at CMU
Carnegie Mellon professors Simranjeet Singh and Jyoti Katoch developed a novel method to electrically read magnetic states using out-of-plane spin currents, advancing spintronic technology. Their two-layer system enables compact, energy-efficient data storage, with Katoch emphasizing the importance of atomically clean interfaces in detecting tunable signals.
April 30, 2025
Priscilla Prem Wins Big Idea Competition for Wave-Powered Submarine Tech
PhD student and U.S. Navy veteran Priscilla Prem, along with mentor Susan Fullerton, won the $25,000 grand prize in Pitt’s 2025 Big Idea Competition for their startup, Pittsburgh Coastal Energy. The company develops wave-powered generators to extend unmanned submarine range, with Fullerton’s mentorship playing a key role in Prem’s transition from researcher to clean energy innovator.
April 30, 2025
Tevis Jacobs Helps Validate Model to Prevent Slips on Oily Floors
Tevis Jacobs, a University of Pittsburgh professor, helped validate a model predicting shoe-floor friction on oily surfaces by analyzing floor textures at multiple scales. Collaborating with bioengineer Kurt Beschorner, their research, published in the Journal of Tribology, offers valuable insights to improve safety in slippery environments.
April 30, 2025
Sridhar Tayur on Quantum Science Transforming Healthcare
In the second episode of Where What If Becomes What's Next, Carnegie Mellon professor Sridhar Tayur explores how quantum science could transform medical diagnostics and treatments. He highlights how quantum computing and AI can enhance diagnostic speed and accuracy, using pneumonia as a key example, and drive innovation in patient care.
April 30, 2025
Elias Towe Receives John Bardeen Award at TMS Annual Meeting
Professor Elias Towe received the John Bardeen Award at the TMS Annual Meeting for his exceptional contributions and leadership in electronic and functional materials. The event also celebrated achievements by other Carnegie Mellon faculty, students, and alumni in materials science.
April 30, 2025
Peng Liu’s Latest Research Appears in "Nature"
Peng Liu, in collaboration with Gregory Fu, published a Nature paper introducing a photoinduced method to convert racemic alkyl halides into a single enantiomer. Computational work from Liu’s group revealed that halogen atom transfer is key to enantioselectivity, driven by steric and noncovalent interactions during catalyst-controlled induction.
April 30, 2025
"9 Steps to Take to Prepare for a Quantum Future"
Quantum computing is progressing quickly, with early applications appearing in sectors like pharma and finance. To stay competitive, organizations should upgrade to post-quantum encryption, develop cryptographic agility, explore potential use cases, invest in talent, and build strategic partnerships.
April 30, 2025
Xu Zhang’s Breakthrough in Programmable Infrared Technology
Xu Zhang co-developed an electrically programmable graphene transistor (Gr-FET) that allows precise control of mid-infrared wavelengths, enabling applications such as infrared camouflage, health monitoring, and security. His work advances scalable, programmable infrared technologies for future devices.
April 23, 2025
PQI 2025 Best Poster Award Winners
Ann Marie Paterno, Lakshmi Yaodhara Ananthabhotla, and Priyanka Shukla were awarded Best Poster Awards!
March 27, 2025
Karl Johnson Enhances Density Functional Theory
Professor Karl Johnson, a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, is working to improve Density Functional Theory (DFT) by addressing self-interaction error. Alongside his team, he uncovered limitations in self-interaction correction (SIC) methods, particularly in modeling transition metals. Their study, published in PNAS, introduces a new approach to assessing sd energy imbalance, which Johnson says could lead to better catalysts and advancements in energy and materials science.
March 5, 2025
Peyman Givi Advances Turbulence Simulation with Quantum-Inspired Computing
Dr. Givi, Distinguished Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, contributed to a breakthrough in turbulence simulation using quantum-inspired computing. The team used tensor networks to model turbulence probability distributions, achieving faster results than traditional methods. This advancement has the potential to improve weather forecasting, aerodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
March 5, 2025
W. Vincent Liu Appointed OCPA President for 2025-2026
Professor W. Vincent Liu has been appointed president of OCPA, the International Organization of Chinese Physicists and Astronomers, for the 2025-2026 term. He brings extensive experience and leadership to the role, guiding the organization in its mission to advance the field.
January 27, 2025
Elizabeth Dickey Advances Ferroelectric Proximity Effect for Next-Gen Electronics
Professor Elizabeth Dickey, head of Carnegie Mellon’s Materials Science and Engineering Department, contributed to research on the ferroelectric proximity effect, enabling polarization switching in semiconductors without chemical changes. She emphasized its potential for advancing next-generation technologies.
January 17, 2025
Peng Liu Named Richard King Mellon Chair of Chemistry
Professor Peng Liu has been appointed the Richard King Mellon Chair of Chemistry, effective February 1, 2025, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to research, teaching, and mentorship. A member of the Chemistry Department since 2014, Peng's achievements have earned him this well-deserved honor.
January 16, 2025