Shriram Ramanathan wins 2011 Robert Lansing Hardy Award

February 18, 2011 - Shriram Ramanathan has won the 2011 Robert Lansing Hardy Award on behalf of the The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS).

The Associate Professor of Materials Science at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) was noted for "innovative contributions to the synthesis, study and applications of thin film oxides."

The Robert Lansing Hardy Award recognizes the outstanding promise of a young metallurgist (under the age of 35) for a successful career in the broad field of metallurgy. The recipient also receives a $500 stipend from the Ford Motor Company. The award was established in 1955.

“I am grateful to TMS for this award," says Ramanathan. "I express my sincere gratitude to my mentors, students, and collaborators who have played an enormous role in my professional development. Participating in TMS meetings and the following discussion tremendously helped in generating new ideas, research directions, and fruitful collaborations.”

Research in Ramanathan's group is primarily focused on oxide thin films and nanostructures with emphasis on how processing affects properties.

Specific investigations include developing a mechanistic understanding of initial stages of oxidation and corrosion of metals and oxygen incorporation into oxides under photon irradiation.

Potential applications of the work include electronic devices, solar and hydrogen energy conversion, and sensors.

In addition, Ramanathan is one of the founders of SiEnergy Systems. The venture is a privately-held startup company formed by Allied Minds, Inc. to commercialize low-cost, low-temperature versatile SOFCs and is based on proprietary micro solid oxide fuel cell device technologies he originally developed.

Ramanathan received a B.Tech. in Metallurgical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (Madras); an M.S. in Materials Engineering from the University of Houston; and a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. Prior to coming to Harvard, he was a researcher at the Intel Corporation from 2002 to 2005.

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About The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) is the professional organization encompassing the entire range of materials science and engineering, from minerals processing and primary metals production to basic research and the advanced applications of materials. Included among its 11,200 professional and student members are metallurgical and materials engineers, scientists, researchers, educators, and administrators from six continents. TMS is committed to environmental responsibility as we fulfill our mission to promote global science and engineering by going green at our headquarters, conferences, and through membership communication. Join us by reducing, reusing, and recycling. Visit:www.tms.org for more information.