UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Joshua A. Robinson, professor of supplies science and engineering at Penn State, has been named director of the University’s Materials Research Institute (MRI), efficient July 1.
“Josh has a proven track record of identifying opportunities, building structure, connecting people and, ultimately, creating impact,” stated Andrew Read, senior vp for analysis at Penn State. “He leads with intentionality and care, and I have no doubt that he will elevate MRI to even greater heights. I look forward to working closely with him in this new role and to continuing to foster the interdisciplinary excellence that defines our institutes.”
MRI, housed inside the Millennium Science Complex at University Park, facilitates modern analysis throughout and amongst an unlimited array of disciplines to advance schooling and innovation in supplies. With world-class services and capabilities in digital supplies and units, practical polymers and nanoscience, supplies synthesis and computation, the institute is exactly and uniquely positioned to rise to the crucial challenges in semiconductors, manufacturing, quantum applied sciences, healthcare and extra, in keeping with Robinson.
“MRI is where fundamental discovery meets real-world impact. We have an opportunity to accelerate that connection by supporting high-impact research and deepening partnerships across Penn State,” stated Robinson, who additionally directs the Penn State Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance and the onsemi Silicon Carbide Crystal Center. “We have an incredibly strong foundation. Now, we’re reinforcing and building upon that foundation to create the pioneers and technology of tomorrow.”
Robinson’s imaginative and prescient is supported by 4 pillars, he stated: supporting strategic analysis in semiconductors and microsystems, quantum supplies to packaging, crucial minerals and supplies, and exploring new horizons; partaking with trade; leveraging philanthropy; and enabling superior operational excellence.
“MRI is my academic home, and the staff, faculty and students here are my academic family,” Robinson stated. “Together, we will continue to ensure that MRI defines materials research excellence for the nation.”
Robinson will succeed Clive Randall, Evan Pugh University Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, who will step down from the role this summer to refocus his efforts on educating and analysis.
After receiving his bachelor of science in physics from Towson University, Robinson earned his doctorate in supplies science and engineering from Penn State. He accomplished a postdoctoral fellowship on the Naval Research Lab, earlier than returning to Penn State as a analysis professor within the Applied Research Laboratory in 2007. He joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in 2012. Robinson co-founded the Center for 2-Dimensional and Layered Materials (2DLM) in 2013 and now serves because the co-director. He additionally serves as co-director of the Center for Atomically Thin Multifunctional Coatings (ATOMIC), a U.S. National Science Foundation-funded Industry-University Cooperative Research Center. He is an affiliated professor of chemistry, of physics, and of engineering science and mechanics.
Robinson researches the synthesis and properties of 2D supplies. He is particularly within the purposes of such supplies, together with high-frequency electronics, quantum computing, quantum communications, chemical/organic sensing, catalysis and vitality storage, and past silicon CMOS — the semiconductor expertise that presently underpins built-in circuits in computer systems, telephones and extra.
Most just lately, Robinson broadened his analysis focus to incorporate bulk crystals, which led Robinson to ascertain the Penn State Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA), a coalition of representatives from academia, authorities and trade targeted on growing the following era of silicon carbide — a particularly laborious artificial materials with excessive temperature and chemical tolerance — science for superior electronics able to working in excessive environments, reminiscent of energy grids and electrical autos. As a part of SCIA, he additionally based the onsemi Silicon Carbide Crystal Center, a analysis and pilot-scale manufacturing facility for high-power digital design and manufacturing.
Since becoming a member of Penn State, Robinson has mentored greater than 115 college students, visiting students, postdoctoral students and analysis college. He has authored or co-authored greater than 300 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and he has led or contributed to analysis tasks with greater than $100 million in help. Robinson additionally holds eight patents on chemical and neutron detection, in addition to on 2D supplies, together with selective progress.