Which novel materials can be considered for next-generation energy storage applications? Can we design new materials with comparable or even superior mechanical properties by simply substituting their constituent chemical elements? These are some of the questions that have motivated my pursuit of research in computational materials physics.
My journey as a Ph.D. candidate began when I joined the Department of Physics at Michigan Technological University in Fall 2021 with Professor Ravindra Pandey as my advisor. My research focuses on theoretical and computational modeling of materials using Density Functional Theory (DFT), an efficient and powerful approach that allows us to predict materials’ properties from first-principles atomistic simulations.
Working with my co-advisor, Professor Kah Chun Lau, I study the potential hydrogen storage applications of a novel material on a Department of Energy (DOE) funded collaborative project. In addition, during my time at Tech, I have also had the privilege of contributing to the modeling of photocathode materials at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Through these projects, I have been able to explore and address questions that contribute to advancing next-generation energy applications.
I am deeply grateful to the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for recommending and awarding this fellowship, which supports the final stage of my Ph.D. journey at Tech. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to my advisors for their unwavering support and guidance.