William D. Nix Lecture Series 2024

The goal of the Nix Lecture is to bring together our community of students, faculty, alumni, and other professionals passionate about the positive impact our discipline can have in addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges, such as the need for safe energy, a clean environment, and healthy life.

This year's event will be highlighted by Distinguished speakers Steven Chu and Walden Rhines.

Event Program

8:30 am:   Registration begins (with Continental Breakfast)
9:15 am:   Welcome from Alberto Salleo, Professor and Chair of Materials Science and Engineering
9:20 am:   MSE Faculty Speakers
                    Felipe da Jornada, Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, title: “Reimagining
                    Materials Discovery with Massive Computer Simulations and AI”
                    Leora Dresselhaus-Marais, Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, title: “Building the 
                    Science to Decarbonize Manufacturing– from Making Steel to 3D Printing Parts”
10:15 am: Break
10:45 am: MSE Alumni Lecture
                    Walden Rhines (MS '70 MSE, PhD '72 MSE), President and CEO, Cornami, Inc. 
                     -   introduced by Craig Barrett (PhD ’64 MSE), CEO and Chairman of the Board, Intel Corp. (ret.)
11:30 am: Keynote: "Materials as an Enabling Technology in Getting to Net-Zero GHG Emissions"
                    Steven Chu, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Physics, of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, and of 
                    Energy Science and Engineering 
                     -   introduced by Prof. Yi Cui, Fortinet Founders Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
12:30 pm: Closing Remarks by William D. Nix, Lee Otterson Professor in the School of Engineering, Emeritus 
                     -   introduced by Prof. David Matlock (PhD ’72 MSE) Emeritus Professor, Colorado School of Mines
12:45 pm: Buffet Lunch and Student Poster Session
2:00 pm:   Event Concludes