Duke Engineering Launches Master’s Program Blending AI and Materials Science

In 2020, the National Science Foundation awarded Duke University a $3 million research traineeship grant to develop a program for graduate students to develop expertise in using AI for materials science research. With ongoing investment by Duke’s Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS), this novel program has spawned degree track concentrations, a certificate program and dozens of success stories.

Now, Duke Engineering is using this teaching and research experience to launch a new master’s degree pilot launching this fall. Called the Master of Engineering in AI and Materials program, the fast-paced, 18-month experience includes an industrial internship, opportunities to conduct research with leading faculty members and the skillset required to help build a better world for tomorrow.

“The deep understanding of both AI and materials science our students gain will allow them to rapidly make advances and be integral to the future of new materials in fields from energy to medicine to advanced electronics,” said Cate Brinson, the Sharon C and Harold L Yoh III Distinguished Professor of MEMS. “Every new technological revolution is built on new materials, so our graduates will truly have the power to change the world.”

For example, Io Saito, a MEMS doctoral student in the Brinson laboratory, recently co-authored a paper that was published and featured on the cover of Macromolecules. Her focus of mechanical properties at material interfaces is key for the development of efficient and durable composites, and her research recently took her to Japan for the opportunity to work more closely with collaborators.

Similarly, the research of Tyler Wilson, who works in the laboratory of Olivier Delaire, associate professor of MEMS and physics, afforded him the opportunity to conduct research with the powerful neutron source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His research applies generative AI to create, analyze and correct images of crystal structures that will ultimately enable safer high-capacity batteries and faster charging. The new master’s program’s requirement for an industry-based internship also opens a world of opportunities, especially given its track record for landing students impressive placements. Yiyang Sun, a doctoral student in the laboratory of Cynthia Rudin, the Gilbert, Louis, and Edward Lehrman Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, just completed a summer internship at Amazon. He has also published several papers at the 39th Annual AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence focused on novel machine learning methods applied to bioplastics.

During their 18-month journey, students will also have plenty of opportunities to test the entrepreneurial waters of translating discoveries into start-up businesses. Jake Peloquin, now an assistant professor at North Carolina State University, used part of his time in the AI and materials science training to work at Restor3D—a start-up launched by Ken Gall, professor of MEMS, that develops personalized 3D-printed implants for human limb repair. He also developed and used regression algorithms to investigate how material distribution influences the performance of 3D-printed composites.

“The most valuable aspects of the AI and materials science program were the technical training in AI and machine learning, particularly learning how to apply these tools to materials research,” Peloquin said. “But just as important was the opportunity to build a strong professional network. I connected with faculty, researchers from national labs, and industry professionals, expanding my collaborations and connections beyond Duke.”