Join us for Week 3 of the NanoExchange Summer Series. Each session brings together graduate researchers to share work-in-progress, explore new ideas, and engage in open discussion across disciplines.
This summer鈥檚 NanoExchange is chaired by IMS Graduate Students Jack Loken and Jojo Pearson.
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Coffee and Snacks: 10:00 to 10:30 AM
NanoExchange Sessions: 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Location: 202 Light Hall
Emanuela听(贰尘颈) Riglioni | Mode Hybridization in Photonic Crystal Structures
Light, as a transverse electromagnetic wave, supports distinct transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM) polarization modes. Although the interaction and hybridization of these modes have been widely explored in systems such as metasurfaces and two-dimensional photonic crystals (PhCs), extending this investigation to one-dimensional听PhCs听offers the advantage of reduced device footprint. In this study, we examine the hybridization of TE and TM bands arising from mirror symmetry breaking in photonic crystal waveguides with rectangular unit cells. Using a combination of theoretical modeling and experimental validation, we reveal the formation of a geometry-induced photonic bandgap driven by this hybridization, as well as its tunability through the rotation angle of the unit cell. These engineered waveguides present promising opportunities for in-plane angle-insensitive dipole coupling and advanced higher-order polarization division multiplexing.听
Emily Byrum | Development of Novel Electric Arc Furnace Slag Geopolymer Cements for 3D Printing听
In the United States, the nuclear industry is expected to triple in size by 2050, increasing the demand for effective听waste鈥�disposal听methods. Grout encapsulation听remains听a key strategy for immobilizing nuclear waste, and Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) slag鈥揵ased geopolymers show strong potential due to their resistance to elevated temperatures and chemical attack. Additionally, 3D printing offers the ability to engineer internal architectures that effect听heat dissipation while reducing overall material usage.听
To develop a 3D鈥�printable EAF slag geopolymer cement,听rheology鈥�modifying听additives were incorporated, including halloysite听nanoclay, graphene听nanoplatelets, and听chemical additives. Experimental results听demonstrated听that adding 4.5% by weight halloysite听nanoclay听and 0.05% by weight graphene听nanoplatelets听improved the buildability of the EAF geopolymer cement mix. Future work will involve adjusting the听chemical additive听content to achieve听a viable听printable formulation.