Performance Materials Lab

The William States Lee College of Engineering

From the Shop Floor to the Sensor: Marley Magnotta’s Work on Wearable Gloves for Worker Health and Safety

Marley Sensor Glove

Good engineering solves real problems for real people. Marley Magnotta’s undergraduate research this semester did exactly that, and she presented it with the confidence and clarity of someone who understands both what she built and why it matters. At the UNC Charlotte undergraduate research symposium, Marley presented her project titled “Wearable Flexible Sensors for Injury … Read more

Outstanding Undergraduate Research: Evaluating Materials for Hypersonic and Spacecraft Applications

Paul and John Research

One of the most rewarding parts of directing a research laboratory is watching undergraduate students tackle genuinely hard problems and deliver results that advance the field. This semester, Paul Travers and John Tran did exactly that. I am proud to share that Paul and John recently presented their research at the UNC Charlotte undergraduate research … Read more

PML Undergraduate Researcher Presents at NCUR 2026

Sam Phillips Conference Presentation

Performance Materials Laboratory undergraduate researcher Sam Phillips traveled to Richmond, Virginia this month to present original research at the 2026 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), held April 13-15 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University. Sam’s presentation, titled “Modeling the Transport of Forever Chemicals in the Arctic Ocean,” examined … Read more

Preparing for Mechatronics in Spring 2026 with Dr. Tipton

funny robot

I am very excited to be teaching Mechatronics again this spring. This course remains a cornerstone of modern engineering education, serving as a vital bridge across traditionally separate disciplines. The Contemporary Engineering Mandate The unrelenting progression of automation, robotics, and complex cyber-physical systems decisively dictates that the next generation of engineers must possess a truly … Read more

Celebrating a Milestone: Congratulations to Md. Shah Arafin on His Master’s Degree! (And Welcoming Our Newest Ph.D. Student!)

Arafin Masters Graduation

The Performance Materials Lab (PML) is absolutely bursting with pride and excitement as we announce the successful completion of the Master of Science (M.S.) degree by one of our exceptional team members, Md. Shah Arafin! Arafin has been an invaluable part of our research group, and his dedication, intellect, and hard work have been truly … Read more

First-Time Author Publishes Important PFAS Data

PFAS Dataset Paper

First-Time Author Publishes Groundbreaking PFAS Data We’re thrilled to announce the publication of a significant new paper, “Temporal Dataset of Emerging and Legacy PFAS Concentrations (ng/L) in 11 Inland Watersheds (Lakes, Rivers, Islands) and Median PFAS Concentrations Across 14 Seas and Oceans Over Multiple Time Periods.” This marks a major milestone, as it’s the first … Read more

Martinique Voyage aboard R/V Dawn: Understanding Water Quality

Sailing

I’m excited to share insights from a recent expedition that my team and I from the Sustainable Seas Institute undertook in the beautiful waters of Martinique. As the Chief Scientist on this cruise, and a faculty member here at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, it’s always a privilege to lead such impactful research, and … Read more

Practical Engineering: Measurements and Instruments with Dr. Roger Tipton

36318449-electronic-measuring-instruments

As the fall semester of 2024 approaches, Dr. Roger Tipton will be teaching Measurements and Instruments again this semester. About Professor Tipton With a career that spans over two decades in industry and academia, Dr. Tipton brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the Mechanical Engineering department at UNCC. His research into developing new sustainable … Read more

Celebrating Student Achievements: Dr. Roger Tipton at UNCC Spring 2024 Commencement

2024-UNCC-Graduation

Charlotte, North Carolina, May 13, 2024 — The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) recently held its Spring 2024 Commencement, a momentous occasion celebrating the academic achievements of thousands of students. With a record-breaking 5,100-plus graduates, this year’s ceremonies were filled with pride, joy, and a sense of accomplishment. A Diverse Class of 2024 The Class … Read more