Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Katharina Ehrmann, Institute for Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Technische Universität Wien, Austria
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Professor Pengfei Cao, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Guang Yang, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), USA
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Dana Alsulaiman, KAUST, Saudi Arabia
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Yi Xiong, Southern University of Science and Technology, China
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Muhammad Zubair and Dr Muhammad Qasim Mehmood, Information Technology University of the Punjab, Pakistan
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Mateusz Odziomek, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Germany
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Bhagya Dharmasiri, Deakin University, Australia
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Professor Linsey C. Seitz, Northwestern University, USA
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Professor Edison Huixiang Ang, National Institute of Education/Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Sahnawaz Ahmed, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Kolkata, India
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Professor Francesca Santoro, Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen, Germany
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Professor Jingjing Duan, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, China
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Professor Yiyang Li, University of Michigan, USA
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Professor Zhengbao Yang, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Associate Professor Dr Xuhui Zhang, Jiangnan University, China
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Professor Dr Hai-Bo Zhao, National Engineering Laboratory for Eco-Friendly Polymer Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Professor Dr Wee-Jun Ong, Center of Excellence for NaNo Energy & Catalysis Technology (CONNECT), Xiamen University, Malaysia
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Jie Xu, Argonne National Laboratory, USA
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Communication
Rapid 3D printing of unlayered, tough epoxy–alcohol resins with late gel points via dual-color curing technology
Herein, printing a wide-meshed methacrylate matrix-assisted epoxide network utilizing alcohol chain transfer in a semi-orthogonal curing leads to tough interpenetrating networks much faster, at lower intensities and without layer artefacts.
Construction of an ultrathin multi-functional polymer electrolyte for safe and stable all-solid-state batteries
An ultrathin, flexible and mechanical robust solid polymer electrolyte based on a rationally designed polymer network is developed.
Effects of catholyte aging on high-nickel NMC cathodes in sulfide all-solid-state batteries
Unlocking longevity in solid-state batteries: our study highlights how the sulfide catholyte Li6PS5Cl outshines halide-based alternatives by mitigating side reactions in NMC811 cathodes, indicating its promise for extending battery lifespan.
Assembled mechanical metamaterials with integrated functionalities of programmable multistability and multitransition behaviors
We propose a systematic strategy to create multistable metamaterials with function-oriented multitransition behaviors to satisfy diverse application scenarios by the replacement of designed contact block (CB) plates.
Fluid-responsive tunable metasurfaces for high-fidelity optical wireless communication
Optical wireless communication (OWC), with its blazing data transfer speed and unparalleled security, is a futuristic technology for wireless connectivity.
Communication
Peptide nucleic acid-clicked Ti3C2Tx MXene for ultrasensitive enzyme-free electrochemical detection of microRNA biomarkers
Peptide nucleic acid-clicked Ti3C2Tx MXene offers a highly efficient transducing material for enzyme-free attomolar-level electrochemical detection of microRNA biomarkers, unlocking the potential for next-generation point-of-care biosensors.
Communication
Synthesis and symmetry of perovskite oxynitride CaW(O,N)3
Perovskite oxynitrides are promising electrocatalysts and photoabsorbers; their heteroanionic structures present an interesting case study in crystal symmetry. Novel CaW(O,N)3 is analyzed with X-ray and neutron diffraction and computational models.
Construction of phase-separated Co/MnO synergistic catalysts and integration onto sponge for rapid removal of multiple contaminants
Novel metallic Co integration onto MnO nanorods enhances catalyst efficiency for wastewater treatment.
Chemically fueled dynamic switching between assembly-encoded emissions
EDC fueled dynamic switching between two distinct emissive aggregates formed by a naphthalimide-peptide building block (NI-VLD), and spatiotemporal control over the material properties.
Communication
An organic brain-inspired platform with neurotransmitter closed-loop control, actuation and reinforcement learning
Organic neuromorphic platforms have recently received growing interest for the implementation and integration of hybrid systems, acting as a bridge between biological tissue and artificial computing architectures.
Unlock flow-type reversible aqueous Zn–CO2 batteries
A flow-type reversible aqueous Zn–CO2 battery using a Pd/SnO2@C cathode catalyst has been assembled and demonstrates an ultra-high power density.
Communication
Oxygen tracer diffusion in amorphous hafnia films for resistive memory
We quantified the oxygen tracer diffusion in amorphous hafnium oxide thin films. These tracer diffusion values are consistent with the experimentally measured retention times of hafnium oxide resistive memory devices.
Communication
Exploring the Mpemba effect: a universal ice pressing enables porous ceramics
A unique technique of “ice and fire” is proposed, that is, manipulation of force via water freezing (ice) and high-temperature sintering (fire) to fabricate ideal porous ceramics.
Soft–hard dual nanophases: a facile strategy for polymer strengthening and toughening
Soft–hard dual nanophases are constructed in PLA, leading to the synchronously improved stiffness, ductility and toughness. This work contributes to constructing nanostructure in polymers and overcoming the trade-off between stiffness and ductility.
Controllable proton-reservoir ordered gel towards reversible switching and reliable electromagnetic interference shielding
A novel ordered gel composed of polyaniline and sodium alginate demonstrates the capability to precisely tune the on/off switching of electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness through solvent responsiveness.
Isotype heterojunction: tuning the heptazine/triazine phase of crystalline nitrogen-rich C3N5 towards multifunctional photocatalytic applications
This work presents a one-step molten salt synthesis approach to achieve a tunable isotype heterojunction in N-rich crystalline C3N5. The crystalline C3N5 successfully improved solar-driven hydrogen, benzaldehyde and H2O2 production.
Real-time correlation of crystallization and segmental order in conjugated polymers
A novel approach with a combination of stage-type fast scanning calorimetry and micro-Raman spectroscopy is developed to give a comprehensive understanding of how anisotropic CPs form segmentally ordered structures with ongoing crystallization.
About this collection
Materials Horizons is pleased to present this growing web collection, showcasing the work being conducted by Emerging Investigators in materials science. It highlights up-and-coming scientists in the early stages of their independent careers, who have been identified as having the potential to influence future directions in the field.
This collection will feature our Emerging Investigators from 2024 and 2025 and will be updated when new Emerging Investigator Series papers are published – so keep checking this page and watch the collection grow.
More details about the Emerging Investigator Series can be found in this editorial, including details on how to apply for consideration. Interviews with the corresponding authors featured in this collection can be found below.
Look back at our previous Emerging Investigators from 2020 and 2021 and 2022 and 2023.
2024
Dr Muhammad Zubair, Information Technology University of the Punjab, Pakistan
Dr Muhammad Qasim Mehmood, Information Technology University of the Punjab, Pakistan
Dr Yi Xiong, Southern University of Science and Technology, China
Dr Jie Xu, Argonne National Laboratory, USA
Professor Dr Wee-Jun Ong, Center of Excellence for NaNo Energy & Catalysis Technology (CONNECT), Xiamen University, Malaysia
Associate Professor Dr Xuhui Zhang, Jiangnan University, China
Professor Jingjing Duan, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, China
Professor Yiyang Li, University of Michigan, USA
Professor Francesca Santoro, Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen, Germany
Professor Linsey C. Seitz, Northwestern University, USA
Dr Mateusz Odziomek, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Germany
Dr Bhagya Dharmasiri, Deakin University, Australia
2025
Dr Dana Alsulaiman, KAUST, Saudi Arabia
Dr Guang Yang, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), USA
Professor Pengfei Cao, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China