Materials, Sensors & Devices | Columbia Engineering

We’re building a world of smarter materials and devices, designed from the atomic scale upward to make the astonishing possible.

An Era of Incredible Promise

Materials science is on the verge of a transformative leap. Increased computing power and modeling coupled with breakthroughs in AI and machine learning have dramatically advanced the pace of experimentation and discovery. At the same time, society is facing a host of challenges—from climate change to energy storage—where roadblocks are material-related.

Columbia Engineering is deeply engaged in this area, combining expertise in computer science, nanotechnology, materials engineering, robotics, bioengineering, and more to expand the boundaries of what is possible and create novel solutions that positively impact humanity.

There is a synergy in combining attention to materials, sensors, and devices, since some of the most important breakthroughs in the years ahead will require integrating new developments in all three areas. For instance, Columbia engineers are working on developing dramatically improved battery technology, where finely-tuned materials coupled with advanced sensors that monitor battery health promise a future of safer, cheaper, and denser energy storage.

Ask Us Anything: John Kymissis Highlights

John Kymissis is the Kenneth Brayer Professor in Electrical Engineering and heads the Columbia Laboratory for Unconventional Electronics. His research focuses on the fabrication, characterization, and applications of thin film electronics, with a particular focus in the applications of organic semiconductors, thin film piezoelectric, and recrystallized silicon devices