Michigan Engineering now comprises 35 NAE members within its active and emeritus faculty
Professors Elizabeth Holm and Nicholas Kotov from Michigan Engineering have become members of the National Academy of Engineering—a prestigious accolade granted to engineers throughout the United States.
“Elizabeth Holm and Nicholas Kotov have not only excelled as pioneers in their disciplines, but they also exemplify the profound influence engineers can have, shaping how both current and future engineers address challenges and conduct their work,” stated Karen Thole, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering at the University of Michigan College of Engineering.
“We congratulate them on this remarkable recognition and eagerly anticipate their ongoing thought leadership in the coming years.”
Elizabeth Holm, the Richard F. and Eleanor A. Towner Professor and chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, received her nomination for her contributions in employing computer simulations to comprehend the formation and implications of microstructures—tiny cracks, pores, and granules—within materials.
These characteristics alter the material’s resilience, toughness, and electrical conductivity, among various other traits. Some microstructures are undesired flaws, while others can be intentionally integrated for specialized applications, and computer simulations aid in identifying how to reduce the adverse defects and enhance the beneficial ones.
During her tenure at Sandia National Laboratories, Holm crafted computational models that facilitated the approval of a new lead-free solder material for circuit boards after lead was prohibited and restricted in the 1990s and early 2000s. Her team simulated the solder’s performance over the expected 50-year lifespan of a circuit board. Ultimately, Sandia sanctioned the new solder alloy for use in electronic components—the inaugural occasion a new material was authorized based on computationally generated data.
More recently, Holm has devised machine-learning instruments that assist scientists and engineers in examining microstructures when designing, producing, and evaluating the quality of materials. Additional computational tools developed in her lab have empowered the materials research community to extract significant insights from minimal data, which is crucial in scenarios where information is scarce or expensive.
“I had to scrutinize the email subject line multiple times before I could truly believe my eyes,” remarked Holm on receiving news of her election. “I am profoundly honored for my work to be acknowledged at this level, and I am extremely thankful to my peers and students, as science genuinely thrives on collective effort.”
Nicholas Kotov, the Irving Langmuir Distinguished University Professor and Joseph B. and Florence V. Cejka Professor of Chemical Engineering, garnered his nomination for pioneering techniques that enable assorted nanoparticles, nanosheets, and nanofibers with diverse sizes, shapes, and chemical compositions to self-assemble into composite structures that emulate the properties of biological materials and can be produced at scale.
The resulting composite materials can exhibit novel properties that surpass the mere combination of their individual components. Nanofiber structures based on Kevlar produced in his laboratory resemble cartilage—they are robust and flexible while remaining sufficiently porous for ions to traverse. Such materials are ideal for batteries capable of storing larger amounts of energy and recharging more rapidly than conventional lithium batteries. Kotov is currently developing these batteries through his startup, Valerion Energy. Other composite materials under his investigation have the potential to facilitate heat-resistant LCD screens.
Kotov has also crafted chiral nanostructures, twisted at micro- or nanoscales, which self-organize into bioinspired materials. He and his team are leveraging them to generate and detect circularly and elliptically polarized light. Numerous biological molecules and medications are chiral, indicating that structures like these hold promise for medical diagnostics, pharmaceutical development, and quality assurance. They may also empower computer-vision technology to recognize objects and their microstructures based on the polarized light they emit naturally.
“This decision ignites my motivation to accomplish even more,” Kotov expressed. “This distinction is monumental, but I do not wish to rest on previous accolades. I feel as though I am merely beginning and that I can assist even more individuals. That is my role as a member of this exceptional group of colleagues who embody both intellectual prowess and global impact.”