Ruijuan Xu Wins NSF CAREER Award for Pioneering Ferroelectric Research
Dr. Ruijuan Xu, an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University, has been awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award. This five-year grant, totaling $791,431, will support her research on creating strain-induced phase boundaries in lead-free ferroelectric oxide heterostructures and membranes.
Ferroelectric materials are essential in various applications, including sensors, actuators, and memory devices. Dr. Xu’s research aims to develop new strain-engineering methods to induce phase boundaries in these materials without relying on complex chemical compositions or toxic elements like lead. By leveraging anisotropic epitaxy and dynamic strain tuning, her work seeks to enhance the dielectric, piezoelectric, and ferroelectric properties of lead-free sodium niobate heterostructures and membranes.
“Dr. Xu’s innovative research and dedication to education exemplify the values and mission of our department. We are proud of her accomplishments and look forward to the advancements her work will bring to the field of materials science.”
Donald Brenner, MSE Department Head
In addition to her research, Dr. Xu is dedicated to expanding access to STEM education. Her initiatives include developing teacher-training workshops for K-12 special education instructors and providing research internships for high school students with disabilities. These efforts aim to create more opportunities for students to engage in STEM fields and contribute to the future workforce.
Dr. Donald Brenner, Department Head and Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at NC State, expressed his enthusiasm for Dr. Xu’s achievement, stating, “Dr. Xu’s innovative research and dedication to education exemplify the values and mission of our department. We are proud of her accomplishments and look forward to the advancements her work will bring to the field of materials science.”
The NSF CAREER award is among the most prestigious honors for early-career faculty. It recognizes those who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education. Dr. Xu’s receipt of this award underscores her significant contributions and commitment to advancing science and education.
This post was originally published in Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
