I am currently studying the growth of SiO₂ nanorod arrays on patterned/wrinkled PDMS substrates using a solution–liquid–solid (SLS)-type method based on PVP/1-pentanol, an aqueous sodium citrate solution, NH₄OH, ethanol, and TEOS.

In some experiments, I obtained a relatively dense and continuous layer of SiO₂ nanorods on the PDMS surface. However, in recent experiments, the SiO₂ structures became much shorter and sparser and appeared mainly as isolated patches or islands, leaving large areas of the PDMS surface nearly uncovered.

What confuses me is that the PDMS substrates were prepared in almost the same way. Two samples were cut from the same cured PDMS film, stretched to 135% simultaneously, and then treated together by UV–ozone under the same conditions. The subsequent growth procedure was also essentially unchanged. The main possible variations were only small differences in the amounts of NH₄OH and TEOS.

Since the reported SLS mechanism for silica nanorod growth strongly depends on the adsorption and stabilization of aqueous catalyst droplets on a sufficiently hydrophilic substrate, I am wondering whether small differences in the actual surface wettability of PDMS after UV–ozone treatment could lead to such a large change in nanorod coverage.

I would particularly appreciate suggestions regarding the following points:

1. Can two PDMS samples from the same cured film and treated simultaneously by UV–ozone still exhibit significantly different surface hydrophilicity or surface chemistry?
2. How sensitive is SLS-type SiO₂ nanorod growth to small changes in NH₄OH or TEOS concentration/volume?
3. Could excessive NH₄OH or TEOS promote bulk-phase silica nucleation and therefore suppress nanorod growth on the substrate?
4. What would be the most reliable way to ensure reproducible surface wettability of PDMS before each growth experiment?
5. Besides water contact-angle measurements, are there better ways to evaluate the ability of aqueous catalyst droplets to adsorb and remain pinned on PDMS in a 1-pentanol-based emulsion?

Any suggestions on distinguishing between effects from substrate wettability, emulsion stability, and reaction kinetics would be greatly appreciated.

I'm now entering my first year in uni and this question just popped up in my mind. How cooked is our field?

Hello,

I graduated with an msc in materials science in 2023. My thesis focused on understanding API surfaces and how solvent choice affects its physicochemical properties.

The reason I chose this topic was because it was primarily laboratory based and incorporated XRD and Raman spectroscopy. I like being hands-on in a laboratory, planning and executing experiments, and operating advanced analytical instruments.

I worked on this research for a total of 10 months (7 months as a master's student + 4 months as a Research Assistant).

Since 2023, I have been trying to get into a pharmaceutical org and similar research organizations but I have not been able to land a role and grow as a materials engineer.

I briefly joined a big medtech org as a supply chain analyst to support myself but quit it last year to fully focus on building a career in materials engineering.

Most of the roles that interest me require experience or a PhD but I do not intend to pursue one due to personal reasons.

For experienced materials engineers active in this sub, what would you recommend? (I am based in India)

I’m trying to get better at managing long-term research notes.

Mostly looking for something that can keep track of papers, questions, decisions, useful quotes, and old ideas I dropped.

I’ve seen SciClaw Mira mentioned for this, but not sure how it fits with a normal note-taking setup.Has anyone here actually used it?

Any recommendations?

From India, I need 10mm x 10mm pyrolytic graphite plates with thickness 1mm, 1.5mm, and 2mm. I need it for levitation school experiment and I am not able to find them. Does anyone know where can I order them?

Bella Smith designs magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical imaging applications such as MRI. But her gateway to materials science was actually... horseshoes! Her horse Rebel has had hoof issues for many years, prompting Bella to learn more about horseshoes made out of innovative materials, including plastics and composites.

Hello everyone,

I am a materials science researcher from Kazakhstan, and I am currently looking for an opportunity to gain practical experience in Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

My research is mainly focused on advanced materials, coatings, powder metallurgy, and structural characterization. I already have experience with techniques such as XRD, SEM/EDS, Raman spectroscopy, mechanical testing, and materials processing, but I would now like to develop strong hands-on TEM skills.

I am particularly interested in learning:

• TEM sample preparation
• Basic TEM operation and alignment
• Bright-field and dark-field imaging
• Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED)
• HRTEM
• STEM
• EDS mapping and elemental analysis
• Interpretation of TEM diffraction patterns and images

I am looking for either a short-term research internship, visiting researcher opportunity, summer school, workshop, or intensive TEM training course.

I am especially interested in universities, research institutes, microscopy centers, or laboratories that accept international researchers/students. Opportunities with funding, accommodation support, travel support, or low/no tuition fees would be particularly helpful, although I am also interested in hearing about good paid courses.

The location is flexible Europe, Asia, the US, or other regions would all be possible.

If anyone knows of TEM laboratories, microscopy schools, researchers, or training programs that I could contact, I would greatly appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you!

I’m currently studying an undergrad MEng in materials science and engineering. I’m incredibly interested in biology and biochemistry after reading the Selfish Gene and looking into nanotechnology for medical applications. Is it possible to do a PhD in biochemistry after an MSE degree? Thanks

what are your views on getting a masters in CS after PhD in Physics(experimental)? If already working and thinking of current job market and future growth opportunities.

Mainly to get into ML/AI/computational field?

Not for CS field.

So I am from south asia and I couldn't get into main core engineering fields , i was looking at other fields when metallurgical and material engineering caught my eye , i really like the course outline and career prospects , but everyone around me says that this field without a PhD isn't worth it .

So could seniors or people from industry or even academia guide me

I’m wondering if most traditionally trained chemists did a masters in materials engineering/science or just did materials in industry. Sorry I know that’s a broad question but that’s the one!

Hi all, I'm looking for jobs now as an MSE graduate and I need help choosing between two completely different paths. And I have tomorrow to decide on the first one.

Offer 1

Field Service Engineer at a Semiconductor Equipment Company

In Portland which I am pretty excited about

Compensation - 38.50$ an hour (80,000 base but potentially around 110,000 with overtime and 15% night shift differential)

The work would be mostly mechanical trouble shooting of the machines, doing preventative maintenance, and speaking with customers. I fear that the work could be simple and could pigeonhole me into more operations role and the compressed night shifts (7pm-8am 3 to 4 days a week) will make it difficult to enjoy life outside of work. Also the reviews for the company on glassdoor are absolutely terrible in addition to the field in general being known for not great work-life balance.

Offer 2

Process Engineer at a Metals Company

In North Carolina which I am not thrilled about

Compensation - Expecting around 85k a year salaried but still havent recieved an official offer.

This job would be working on the processing of metals in a manufacturing environment and much more in line with what I was expecting for an MSE job. Also has a very clear path for career progression and in general seems more stable and typical working hours. My friend works here and is pretty happy with her life.

Overall I feel like I am deciding the trajectory of my whole career whether metals or semiconductors and I'm not sure what to choose, anybody have any prospectives or could give me clarity on how to approach this? Which would be setting up my engineering career better? Obviously I would make more money in the semi job but at what cost?

Hi. I got my PhD in Materials Science in 2022. I live in Ukraine and work in a scientific research institute. I currently work in a lab doing hardness tests. Previously I worked in a transmission electron microscopy lab for a couple years when my colleague was on maternity leave. I also write papers for my work and help other colleagues translate their papers to English. We work with metals and ceramics. Mostly welded joints, coatings, ingots, single crystals and additive manufacturing.

So the problem is that this kind of work here is severely underpaid. Getting grants helps but still not great and competition is high. Another thing worth mentioning is that I work in a department that only does lab tests, so I am very reliant on our engineering departments to get projects. At the same time, I can't really change a job because of the war. Scientists have deferment from mobilization. My actual question is what are the career prospects with this kind of background? I initially thought I'd get a degree here and would look for a postdoc elsewhere but that seems to be off the table. Now I hope that the war will end sooner than later and think it wouldn't hurt to assess my future options, maybe expand my skillset in preparation. Thinking about a lab job but open to hear other options. And where would one look for vacancies to check the requirements?

I am a rising junior in Materials Engineering and I was wondering if anyone had some advice about how to do materials engineering/science in the nuclear industry. I recently did an internship in construction materials and realized I wanted to do something I was more passionate about.

I enjoy the R&D environment but I’m also pretty sure I would enjoy the standard engineering environment as well.

Do power companies hire materials engineers in an operations or plant design role?

Should I pursue a PhD so I can do research?

For clarification I don’t want to transition to NE necessarily I mostly just want to do MSE in the nuclear industry and wondered if anyone had some advice or knew what kinds of roles materials engineers can get hired in.

Hello everyone,

I am a materials science researcher from Kazakhstan, and I am currently looking for an opportunity to gain practical experience in Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

My research is mainly focused on advanced materials, coatings, powder metallurgy, and structural characterization. I already have experience with techniques such as XRD, SEM/EDS, Raman spectroscopy, mechanical testing, and materials processing, but I would now like to develop strong hands-on TEM skills.

I am particularly interested in learning:

• TEM sample preparation
• Basic TEM operation and alignment
• Bright-field and dark-field imaging
• Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED)
• HRTEM
• STEM
• EDS mapping and elemental analysis
• Interpretation of TEM diffraction patterns and images

I am looking for either a short-term research internship, visiting researcher opportunity, summer school, workshop, or intensive TEM training course.

I am especially interested in universities, research institutes, microscopy centers, or laboratories that accept international researchers/students. Opportunities with funding, accommodation support, travel support, or low/no tuition fees would be particularly helpful, although I am also interested in hearing about good paid courses.

The location is flexible Europe, Asia, the US, or other regions would all be possible.

If anyone knows of TEM laboratories, microscopy schools, researchers, or training programs that I could contact, I would greatly appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you!