Renowned scientist joins Clemson University to help usher in future of advanced materials innovation | Clemson News

Oct 16, 2024

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A world renowned materials scientist is bringing his expertise to one of Clemson University’s most ambitious projects– an endeavor that will add fuel to a fast-growing industry in South Carolina.

Peter Maksymovych, a new professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, is helping design a cutting-edge laboratory that will be a crown jewel in the new Advanced Materials Innovation Complex (AMIC).AMIC’s labs will feature cutting-edge technologies, including nanomechanical, optoelectronic and three-dimensional X-ray imaging. These techniques will be developed with machine learning and automation to help researchers analyze and manipulate materials in ways that were previously not possible.“I’m thrilled to be part of this transformative effort,” Maksymovych said. “We have an incredible opportunity here to push the boundaries of what advanced materials can achieve and can be, and AMIC is the perfect environment to make that happen.”Maksymovych joined Clemson in August. He previously served as a distinguished research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where numerous awards, patents and publications established him as an international leader in materials science and scanning probe microscopy.His work centers on unraveling the mysteries of complex materials—reverse engineering them to understand their properties down to atomic level and discover new phenomena that can define future functional materials.By breaking down the structure and composition of advanced materials, he aims to understand how they form, how they function and how something entirely new can be created. The approach could pave the way for breakthroughs in how materials are created and used across industries that include computing, energy, and health.In the AMIC lab, Maksymovych plans to bring together what he called “sophisticated microscopy methods that will make it possible to analyze materials and devices through a concept of multiresolution functional imaging.” It will help researchers better understand how materials grow, respond and function at multiple scales.When complete, AMIC will be the largest research footprint at Clemson. The 143,000-square-foot facility will be the largest on campus and support the research and workforce needs of the advanced materials industry.In South Carolina alone, the industry accounted for 5,272 jobs announcements and $1.5 billion in capital investment announcements from 2017-23, according to the state Department of Commerce.

Kyle Brinkman, chair of Clemson’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, said that with its new facilities and top-tier faculty, Clemson is well positioned for the future.“With AMIC set for completion in 2025, Clemson is positioning itself as a leader in future advanced materials innovation, and Dr. Maksymovych is a key part of that vision,” Brinkman said. “His work will help students and researchers push the boundaries of what materials can do, keeping Clemson at the forefront of technological advancement, while supporting the needs of industry in the region and nation.”

Maksymovych’s enthusiasm was palpable.

“In the atomic realm, we’ve unlocked the ability to predict millions of potential materials,” he said. “Yet, bridging simulation and reality reveals complexities that challenge our understanding. We now recognize that structure-function relationships evolve dynamically with size, time, and energy. Static pictures no longer suffice; we must capture, decode, and connect material structure, defects, and functional properties as they traverse vast scales. This pursuit defines the next evolution of experiments and models, accelerating our grasp of materials’ true potential and paving the way for transformative discoveries.”

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