UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Joshua A. Robinson, professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State, has been named director of the University’s Materials Research Institute (MRI), effective July 1.
“Josh has a proven track record of identifying opportunities, building structure, connecting people and, ultimately, creating impact,” said Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at Penn State. “He leads with intentionality and care, and I have no doubt that he will elevate MRI to even greater heights. I look forward to working closely with him in this new role and to continuing to foster the interdisciplinary excellence that defines our institutes.”
MRI, housed within the Millennium Science Complex at University Park, facilitates leading-edge research across and among a vast array of disciplines to advance education and innovation in materials. With world-class facilities and capabilities in electronic materials and devices, functional polymers and nanoscience, materials synthesis and computation, the institute is precisely and uniquely positioned to rise to the critical challenges in semiconductors, manufacturing, quantum technologies, healthcare and more, according to Robinson.
“MRI is where fundamental discovery meets real-world impact. We have an opportunity to accelerate that connection by supporting high-impact research and deepening partnerships across Penn State,” said Robinson, who also directs the Penn State Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance and the onsemi Silicon Carbide Crystal Center. “We have an incredibly strong foundation. Now, we’re reinforcing and building upon that foundation to create the pioneers and technology of tomorrow.”
Robinson’s vision is supported by four pillars, he said: supporting strategic research in semiconductors and microsystems, quantum materials to packaging, critical minerals and materials, and exploring new horizons; engaging with industry; leveraging philanthropy; and enabling advanced operational excellence.
“MRI is my academic home, and the staff, faculty and students here are my academic family,” Robinson said. “Together, we will continue to ensure that MRI defines materials research excellence for the nation.”
Robinson will succeed Clive Randall, Evan Pugh University Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, who will step down from the role this summer to refocus his efforts on teaching and research.
After receiving his bachelor of science in physics from Towson University, Robinson earned his doctorate in materials science and engineering from Penn State. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Naval Research Lab, before returning to Penn State as a research professor in the Applied Research Laboratory in 2007. He joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in 2012. Robinson co-founded the Center for 2-Dimensional and Layered Materials (2DLM) in 2013 and now serves as the co-director. He also serves as co-director of the Center for Atomically Thin Multifunctional Coatings (ATOMIC), a U.S. National Science Foundation-funded Industry-University Cooperative Research Center. He is an affiliated professor of chemistry, of physics, and of engineering science and mechanics.
Robinson researches the synthesis and properties of 2D materials. He is specifically interested in the applications of such materials, including high-frequency electronics, quantum computing, quantum communications, chemical/biological sensing, catalysis and energy storage, and beyond silicon CMOS — the semiconductor technology that currently underpins integrated circuits in computers, phones and more.
Most recently, Robinson broadened his research focus to include bulk crystals, which led Robinson to establish the Penn State Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA), a coalition of representatives from academia, government and industry focused on developing the next generation of silicon carbide — an extremely hard synthetic material with high temperature and chemical tolerance — science for advanced electronics capable of operating in extreme environments, such as power grids and electric vehicles. As part of SCIA, he also founded the onsemi Silicon Carbide Crystal Center, a research and pilot-scale production facility for high-power electronic design and manufacturing.
Since joining Penn State, Robinson has mentored more than 115 students, visiting scholars, postdoctoral scholars and research faculty. He has authored or co-authored more than 300 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and he has led or contributed to research projects with more than $100 million in support. Robinson also holds eight patents on chemical and neutron detection, as well as on 2D materials, including selective growth.