Marino Xanthos Memorial Lecture 2024

Wednesday, October 09, 2024

2:30 pm 

Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada)

Central King Building

Room L-70 (Agile Strategy Lab)

2D Carbides and Nitrides (MXenes) Are Ready to Roll

Abstract

MXenes are a family of two-dimensional (2D) early transition metal carbides, nitrides, oxycarbides, carbonitrides, and related structures with a general formula of Mn+1XnTx, where M is a transition metal, X is carbon or nitrogen (oxygen substitution is possible), T represents the surface terminations (O, OH, halogen, chalcogen, etc.), and n = 1—4 [1]. More than 50 MXene compositions have already been reported, but the number of possible compositions is infinite if one considers solid solutions and combinations of surface terminations. MXenes open an era of computationally driven atomistic design of 2D materials. MXenes possess electronic, optical, mechanical, and electrochemical properties that differentiate them from other materials. Chemically tunable superconductivity has been demonstrated in Nb- and Mo-based MXenes. Highly nonlinear optical properties of MXenes are being explored. Several MXenes have been predicted to act as topological insulators. Many MXenes are metals but with a tunable density of states at the Fermi level, like semiconductors. Moreover, their properties are tunable by design. T hey can be modulated using an ionotronic approach [2], leading to breakthroughs in the fields ranging from optoelectronics, electromagnetic interference shielding, and communication to energy storage, catalysis, sensing, and healthcare.  In several applications, such as electromagnetic interference shielding, MXenes have already outperformed all other materials. In this talk, I’ll discuss the synthesis and structure of MXenes, their optoelectronic properties, and the coupling between electrochemical redox processes in MXenes and their optical properties, which can be monitored in situ using spectroelectrochemistry techniques.

1]  A. VahidMohammadi, J. Rosen, Y. Gogotsi, The World of Two-Dimensional Carbides and Nitrides (MXenes), Science, 372, eabf1581 (2021)

[2]  M. Han, D. Zhang, C. E. Shuck, B. McBride, T. Zhang, R. (John) Wang, K. Shevchuk, Y. Gogotsi, Electrochemically Modulated Interaction of MXenes with Microwaves, Nature Nanotechnology, 18, 373–379 (2023)

[3]   D. Zhang, R. (John) Wang, X. Wang, Y. Gogotsi, In situ monitoring redox processes in energy storage using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Nature Energy, 8, 567–576 (2023)

Yury Gogotsi is a Distinguished University Professor and Charles T. and Ruth M. Bach Endowed Chair in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Drexel University. He is the founding director of the A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute. Together with his students and colleagues, he made principal contributions to the development of materials for electrochemical energy storage, discovered MXenes, demonstrated the tuning of structure and porosity of carbide-derived carbons, and developed new processes for the synthesis, surface modification, and purification of nanotubes and nanodiamonds. He also published the first microscopic observation of water inside carbon nanotubes and discovered polygonal nanotubes (graphite polyhedral crystals). He is recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher in Materials Science and Chemistry and a Citations Laureate in Physics by Clarivate Analytics (Web of Science). He has received numerous awards for his research, including the Ceramic Prize from the World Academy of Ceramics, the Materials Research Society (MRS) Medal, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Award in the Chemistry of Materials, etc. He has been elected  a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, the World Academy of Ceramics, the European  Academy of Sciences, and many professional societies. He holds honorary doctorates from several European universities.

Marino Xanthos, Ph.D. was a professor of Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering. Associate Provost for Graduate Studies, and Senior Technical Advisor to the Polymer Processing Institute (PPI) at NJIT Petroleum Institute.  During the period of 1987 to 1995, he was the research director of the PPI and Stevens Research Professor.  He was appointed professor of chemical engineering at NJIT in 1995, where he served until his passing as Director of the Polymer Engineering Center, Director of the Center of Processing of Plastics Packaging, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Materials Research Council, Senior Technical Adviser to the PPI at NJIT, and finally Associate Provost for Graduate Studies.

Dr. Xanthos was internationally recognized for his polymer blends, polymer composites and polymer foams expertise, and his studies on polymer modification through the use of functional particulate additives and reactive extrusion processes. He applied those to the processing of pharmaceutical oral dosage forms. He advised Ph.D. and master-level students and was also involved with PPI technical staff and industrial colleagues nationally and internationally.

Dr. Xanthos became a Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) in 2003 and received the NJIT Board of Overseers Harlan J. Perlis Award that same year in recognition of his exemplary scholarship and outstanding research in the field of polymers. He served as the U.S. representative to the Board of the Polymer Processing Society since 2005. In 2010, he received the Heinz List Award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in reactive processing and devolatilization.

Dr. Xanthos deeply cared for and was a renowned mentor and advisor to his graduate and undergraduate students.  For many years, he was the advisor and life force of the NJIT student chapter of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE).

This lecture series was established by his family, friends and colleagues to memorialize his accomplishments and love of his chosen field.
 

Previous Lectures

2D Carbides and Nitrides (MXenes) Are Ready to Roll

Interfacial Rheology: From Beer Foams to Material Design

Liquid Crystals - From Simple Constructs to Autonomous Materials

David L. Kaplan, Ph.D.
Stern Family Endowed Professor of Engineering
Professor & Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Distinguished University Professor
Tufts University
Director, NIH P41 Resource Center on Tissue Engineering
Editor-in-Chief, ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering
Xanthos Memorial Lecture Program 2017

Breaking Moore's Law, 

Thomas P. Russell, Ph.D.
Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and
Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
Xanthos Memorial Lecture Program 2016

The Unusual Rheology of Concentrated Suspensions

Morton M. Denn, Ph.D.
Benjamin Levich Institute, City College of New York
Xanthos Memorial Lecture Program 2015

28th Annual Salute to Engineering Excellence

April 16, 2026

Questions? Please contact salute@njit.edu

The Newark College of Engineering is excited to welcome high school students to campus for our next NCE Career Day! This annual event introduces future engineers to the world of engineering through hands-on activities, lab tours, and conversations with NJIT students and faculty.
Details and registration information will be available soon. Please check back for updates.

Co-op is a 4-6-month, full-time, paid educational experience (4 months part-time or full-time for SAET students). Students alternate between periods of academic study at the university and periods of full-time co-op employment in industry. The employment assignments (usually six months in duration) are related to the student’s academic and career interests. The combination of academic and industrial experiences provides better understanding of the engineering workplace and helps with career development.

Both co-ops and internships are excellent professional learning experiences. Internships are usually part-time experiences which take place around your academic schedule, although they may be full-time over the summer. A co-op is a full-time experience for six months. Internships tend to focus on short-term projects, whereas co-ops are essentially on-the-job training. Internships do not typically offer credit, and do not typically require faculty approval, whereas the NCE undergraduate co-op program could offer educational credit and requires faculty approval.

The co-op program comprises of up to two full-time, 4-6-month work experiences, which could add one additional semester/year to your academic experience. Six months is the optimum amount of time a student can spend at a company while getting the best learning experience, and participating in two co-op experiences significantly increases the average graduate starting salary, and career confidence. Moreover, many students will receive a job offer along with their second co-op experience, leading to employment well before graduation.

For a work experience to be registered as a co-op work term with NJIT Newark College of Engineering, the position should fulfill the following qualifications:

Number of hours per week: 

• NCE Undergraduate programs: (full-time) 35 to 40 hours per week  
• SAET Undergraduate programs: (full-time) 35 to 40 hours per week or (part-time) 15 to 25 hours per week

Length: at least 15 weeks and within the academic term (e.g., Jan-Apr; May-Aug; Sep-Dec)

• NCE Undergraduate programs: 4-6 months
• SAET Undergraduate programs: 4 months

Salary: minimum wage or above (for the standards of the geographic area where the student is working)

• The average salary for NJIT Engineering students varies based on the student’s academic program and prior work experience; the general average is $20/hr. 

Supervision: Co-op student supervised by an engineer or other technical staff who provides regular supervision, feedback, and completes the Final Evaluation.

Relevant to Engineering:  Technical and relevant to student’s academic program and/or career objectives 

Please click here to view employment policies for international students.

Hourly pay for co-ops ranges between $18 and $22 an hour, although some positions pay more.

NCE Undergraduate programs:

The co-op standard courses ENGR310 and ENGR410 are designed only to help students maintain full-time status during co-op experiences and will not count towards in-major credits. You will not be charged tuition for these Co-op courses. You will however be charged any additional classes you take while doing a Co-op.

SAET Undergraduate programs:

Course credits: 3 credits (usually taken as elective). Co-op may be able to replace required elective course. The Co-op course code is based on the SAET program student is in, and can be found in the academic catalog, and you will be charged tuition and fees for the Co-op course since it will be providing you with credit towards your degree.

You will be charged university-use fees. Click here to see current university-use fee rates.

Food plan and housing fees

Please note that participating in a co-op will not automatically waive your food and housing plans. If you wish to waive those plans, follow these steps at least one month prior to the start of the co-op semester.

Waive housing. You must express your desire to waive housing for the co-op semester in writing to the Office of Residence Life at reslife@njit.edu, copying the Director of Residence Life (see the staff here).

Waive the food plan. You may request a change to your meal plan by clicking here.

Domestic students

• With the approval of the department co-op advisor, and in consultation with the academic advisor, a student on co-op assignment can take up to two courses while doing a full-time Co-op position during the relevant fall or spring semesters, and one additional course during the summer.

Students in School of Applied Engineering programs doing part-time positions for Co-op (about 15-20 hours a week) can take up to 4 courses (or 12 credits) in addition to their Co-op course.
 

International students

• International students have different requirements. Please click here to view employment policies for international students. For more information about international requirements, contact contact Nayelli Perez - Director, Undergraduate Engineering Co-op at nayelli.perez@njit.edu

Paying for additional credits

• If you plan to take additional classes, you do need to pay for the credit hours. Please click here to see the current rates on the University Catalog page.

Your scholarship will likely pause during the semester of your co-op and return the following semester. Click here to schedule an appointment with your financial aid counselor to learn more.

There are several points of contact to support you in finding and participating in a co-op. The most important to know are:

• Your faculty advisor and/or academic advisor will connect with you throughout your academic career to ensure that your courses are in line with your goals.
• Your faculty co-op advisor will specifically advise you on co-op questions, and will serve as your professor for the co-op course in which you will enroll during your co-op. 
• Your Career Services - Career Advisor will help you find a co-op position and can assist you in preparation for interviews and participation.

Since the state of New Jersey caps the number of credits that a student can take within certain engineering fields, your course structure is critical. To that end, ENGR 211 is a 1-credit course general engineering course. It provides engineering students with multidisciplinary and career planning skills in a seminar environment with emphasis on career planning, resume writing, and interview skills. This course was structured so that you will not exceed the state's credit cap, while still giving you some academic credit for your hard work.

NCE Undergraduate programs:

The co-op standard courses ENGR310 and ENGR410 are designed only to help students maintain full-time status during co-op experiences and will not count towards in-major credits. Instead, your academic career could extend for additional semesters to accommodate the time spent on co-op.

SAET Undergraduate programs:

Course credits: 3 credits (usually taken as elective). Co-op may be able to replace required elective course. The Co-op course code is based on the SAET program student is in, and can be found in the academic catalog. 

NJIT has many co-op jobs available to students. The Career Advisor will work closely with each student to help him or her secure a suitable position. However, in rare cases, due to market conditions, economic circumstances or other factors, a student may not get a co-op job in each semester. In that case, and depending on their field of study and program, the student may return to classes and begin the process of applying for co-op jobs for the subsequent semester.

While we strongly advise against dropping out of a co-op, we understand that circumstances sometimes require it. Due to the academic nature of the program, and the fact that your co-op participation is what waives your tuition fees and/or provides you with a grade for your Co-op course, you will need to immediately re-enroll in courses (if you are not past the re-enroll dates). Students that are considering dropping their Co-op course and Co-op position, should contact Nayelli Perez - Director, Undergraduate Engineering Co-op at nayelli.perez@njit.edu before making that decision.

At the conclusion of your co-op, you complete a final assignment about your experience to your faculty co-op advisor (usually a report and/or presentation). Different faculty have different preferences for how you present your work and learning experiences, but all of them will require you to demonstrate the specific items you've learned in the co-op, and how they pertain to your field of study.

If you have any questions about the NCE Co-op program, you are welcome to contact Nayelli Perez - Director, Undergraduate Engineering Co-op at nayelli.perez@njit.edu. Students who want to go over their Co-op job search can make an appointment with their career advisor in Handshake, and can find their career advisor at this link.

The Newark College of Engineering at NJIT is a Carnegie-classified R1 research institution and a leading source of diverse, industry-ready engineering talent in the NYC Metro region.  

Our Engineering Co-op Program connects employers with motivated students who are:

• Available year-round through flexible four to six-month work terms
• Prepared through structured orientation and reflection
• Supported and monitored by NJIT throughout their work experience
• Academically aligned to ensure relevance, accountability, and impact

Through our Engineering Co-op and ELEVATE Partner Programs, employers gain priority access to motivated students available year-round, customized recruitment support, and high-visibility engagement opportunities that strengthen your employer brand. Our partnerships go beyond hiring—helping organizations build sustainable talent pipelines, increase workforce development, and inclusive excellence, and connect meaningfully with the next generation of engineers.

Posting Calendar for positions 

The NCE Undergraduate Co-op program does not do rank/match and we do not follow a strict schedule for Co-op recruitment. However, we recommend that employers conduct their Co-op recruitment the semester prior to when they expect to have their Co-op student start at their organization.

You can view the recommended timelines for Co-op Recruitment and Key Dates below to plan when to post, interview, present offers to and schedule position start/end dates for NJIT Engineering Co-op candidates.

If you are an employer and have any questions about Co-op recruitment at NJIT, you are welcome to contact Nayelli Perez (she, her) - Director, Undergraduate Engineering Co-op - Newark College of Engineering & Career Services at nayelli.perez@njit.edu. Appointments to discuss recruitment strategy can be scheduled at this link.

Key recruitment dates for Spring 2026 start Co-op roles

• Student Co-op Decision Deadline: January 26, 2026
• Recommended Start Date (4 month Co-op position): January 20, 2026; The start date can be earlier for domestic students
• Recommended End Date (4 month Co-op position): May 14, 2026
• Recommended End Date (6 month Co-op position): August 31, 2026

Key recruitment dates for Summer 2026 start and Fall 2026 start Co-op roles 

• Student Co-op Decision Deadlines: June 9, 2026 (Summer) and September 15, 2026 (Summer–Fall)
• Start and end dates can be flexible for domestic students  as long as they do not conflict with their class schedule AND allows them to have at least a 12 to 15 week Co-op; F-1 students must adhere to start and end dates that align with the start and end of the semester(s) in which they do a Co-op role
  • Recommended Start Date (4 month Summer start Co-op position): May 18, 2026
  • Recommended Start Date (6-8 month Summer start Co-op position [May-December]): May 18, 2026
  • Recommended Start Date (4 month Fall start Co-op position):  Sept 1, 2026
  • Recommended End Date  (4 month Summer start Co-op position): August 31, 2026
  • Recommended End Date (6-8 month Summer start Co-op position [May-December]): December 22, 2026 (student could work all the way up to the day before start of next semester (January 18, 2027)
  • Recommended End Date (4 month Fall start Co-op position: December 22, 2026 (student could work all the way up to the day before start of next semester (January 18, 2027)

For questions on key dates you can contact Nayelli Perez (she, her) - Director, Undergraduate Engineering Co-op - Newark College of Engineering & Career Services at nayelli.perez@njit.edu.

ELEVATE Your Talent Partnership with Newark College of Engineering

Become an ELEVATE Partner and gain priority access to NJIT’s diverse, highly motivated engineering students through our Undergraduate Engineering Co-op Program. Designed for employers seeking more than one-off hiring, the ELEVATE Partnership supports sustained, high-impact engagement and talent pipeline development by connecting your teams with co-op students who bring current technical skills, fresh perspectives, and strong academic preparation.

Why Partner with NCE Through ELEVATE?

ELEVATE partners receive customized recruitment support and priority engagement opportunities that maximize visibility and connection with engineering talent.

What you Get?

What We Ask of ELEVATE Partners

• $1,500 annual partnership fee
• Posting a minimum of two (2) Undergraduate Engineering Co-op positions per cycle
  (Four (4) total per year)
• Participation in two (2) Co-op recruitment events annually

Please contact Nayelli Perez, Director - Undergraduate Engineering Co-op at nayelli.perez@njit.edu or 973-642-7154 to inquire further about the NCE Co-op ELEVATE Partnership Program.

Co-op students can alternate between full-time study semesters and Co-op semesters in which they would be working full-time. Below are two of the possible co-op sequences that a NCE student could follow. 

* SAET students that do a part-time Co-op, do not need to follow a Co-op sequence and can take the Co-op course as an elective with their other coursework for the semester they do the Co-op position in.

Other Co-op sequences are possible and a student can discuss by contacting Nayelli Perez  - Director, Undergraduate Engineering Co-op at nayelli.perez@njit.edu. Students who want to go over their Co-op job search can make an appointment with their career advisor in Handshake, and can find their career advisor at this link.

Periodically, you will receive notice of your Co-op eligibility by the NCE Co-op Director and the invitation to take part in the Co-op program if you choose.

Those that have been determined as Co-op eligible will be able to see a public label at the bottom of their Handshake profile that notes for which semester they are Co-op eligible. Example listed below:

If you believe you meet the Co-op eligibility requirements (or need a quick answer on this due to an impending Co-op offer) and have not received messaging that you are Co-op approved, contact Nayelli Perez  - Director, Undergraduate Engineering Co-op at nayelli.perez@njit.edu or find your career advisor to contact at this link.

Important Dates - Summer/Fall 2026 Co-op approval

It is best for students to submit their Experience at least 10 business days prior to their anticipated start date to allow enough time for Experience Form processing. Dates are subject to change.

F-1 students can refer to the Academic Calendar and CPT webpage for more information.
 

The NCE Undergraduate Co-op Program allows you to get up to one year of paid work experience, while staying enrolled full-time. Engineering students get the opportunity to alternate between semesters of full-time work and full-time study in areas related to the student's academic major and career interests. Upon graduation, these Co-op students will have built a professional network, and typically receive higher starting salaries than their counterparts from other schools.

Read what our students and employers have to share about the Engineering Co-op program:

Leo Loiacono, Vice President, Business & Product Development - Valcor Engineering Corporation “NJIT Co-op students learn on the job and get to experience the type of work they would do if they were to join our organization.  They get to learn about the work environment, which is very beneficial to their careers.  We also get a chance to see their capabilities and their work habits, to determine if there is a potential long-term fit for employment at our company.”

Faculty Excellence

Some are fellows of prestigious professional organizations, members of highly selective national science and engineering academies, and still others recipients of national awards for outstanding achievement. They conduct meaningful research that is supported by major corporations and national agencies, publish their work in leading national and international journals, present their work at conferences and symposia around the world and most importantly, share their discoveries in the classroom. Faculty also bring solid industrial work experience to the classroom. Many are licensed professional engineers.

Our faculty are devoted to the undergraduate learning experience. Many have been recognized for this devotion through receipt of NCE Teaching Excellence Awards and NJIT Teaching Excellence Awards. Furthermore, faculty participate in national efforts to improve teaching and learning and serve as program evaluators for national education accreditation.

Student Excellence

NCE’s students are our greatest asset. Our graduate and undergraduate students work side-by-side with faculty members in labs on key projects, and many students devise research projects of their own. Through internships and through NJIT’s co-op program – which gives students the opportunity to receive course credit at paid professional job placements during the academic year – undergraduates gain invaluable real-world work experience. After graduation, our students go on to successful careers as leaders and innovators, both in the world of engineering and in a diverse array of other industries.