Spring 2026 Featured Research
Revealing New Insights Into Unconventional Semiconductors
PhD student Regino Santos Fernandez, undergraduate Grant Vavro, and Dr. Kyle McCall traveled to Argonne National Laboratory to conduct X-ray Pair Distribution Function measurements on complex chalcothallites and 2D perovskites on the APS 11-ID-B beamline, studying the local structure of these atypical semiconductors. The results proved the hypothesis that the average and local structure of these materials differ substantially due to ns2 lone pair interactions, and this work is expected to contribute to new design principles for unconventional semiconductors.
Fernandez, McCall and Dr. Rebecca McClain traveled to Brookhaven National Laboratory to conduct in situ panoramic synthesis of halide and chalcothallite semiconductors. This cutting-edge technique analyzes the structure evolution as materials are prepared from their precursors, providing mechanistic insight into how these compounds form. This work will enable optimized synthesis and crystal growth for these materials investigated, as well as elucidating design principles to develop new unconventional semiconductor materials for energy and sensing.
Engineers Developing New Protective Coating for Spacecraft
Researchers are developing a new protective coating for spacecraft operating in low Earth orbit (LEO), aiming to combat the damaging effects of atmospheric drag and erosion caused by atomic oxygen. Supported by a $1 million DARPA grant under the MINOS program, the team is adapting advanced techniques from microelectronics and optics—such as atomic layer deposition and sol-gel processing—to create ultra-precise, smooth coatings that resist oxidation and reduce drag. These innovations are expected to significantly extend satellite lifespans and enable operations in the harsher conditions of very low Earth orbit (60 to 280 miles above Earth).
Led by Dr. Rafik Addou, the project involves a multidisciplinary team including professors Julia Hsu, William Vandenberghe, and Robert Wallace. Their work has already shown promising results, with independent tests confirming the coating’s superior resistance to atomic oxygen. Graduate student Joslin Prasanna showcased the team’s findings at the AVS International Symposium, earning recognition as a Rising Star. The researchers, traditionally focused on semiconductor materials, are now applying their expertise to space resilience, with hopes of improving satellite performance and paving the way for future multiplanetary missions.
Read more here.
UT Dallas Teams with Argonne National Lab on Battery Research
The University of Texas at Dallas and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have agreed to collaborate on research to accelerate U.S. battery innovation and strengthen domestic supply chains for battery manufacturing.
Researchers from UTD’s Batteries and Energy to Advance Commercialization and National Security (BEACONS) center will work with researchers from Argonne’s Advanced Energy Technologies directorate, which focuses on solving pressing energy, mobility, materials and manufacturing challenges.
UT Dallas launched BEACONS in 2023 to develop and commercialize new battery technologies and manufacturing processes and to train workers for jobs in the energy-storage industry. The U.S. Department of Defense provided a $30 million award to establish an Energy Storage Systems Campus at UTD to drive solutions for researchers and industry partners.
Dr. Matthew Wong
Dr. Matthew Wong and materials science researchers at the UT Dallas Center for Harsh Environments Semiconductor Systems (CHESS) are excited to collaborate with startup NextGo Epi to advance device technologies on their gallium oxide platform.
The UT Dallas team will lead device development, testing and material characterization. This partnership provides CHESS with access to cost-effective, high-quality ultrawide bandgap materials, opening opportunities for cutting-edge research in high-voltage and aerospace applications.