Ashwin Shahani

Ashwin Shahani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan. He leads the Shahani Research Group, which focuses on the intersection of solidification science and advanced materials characterization. His team employs synchrotron-based X-ray tomography and diffraction to study real-time crystal growth dynamics, particularly in metals and semiconductors. His research spans classical and quasicrystalline systems, with applications in aerospace, automotive, and electromagnetic metamaterials.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University (2016)
• B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University (2012)

Research Interests: Professor Shahani’s work centers on understanding the fundamental processes underlying structural transformations during solidification and grain growth. His group uses a multimodal approach combining in situ X-ray imaging, diffraction, and computational modeling to explore phenomena such as dendritic growth, eutectic solidification, and quasicrystal formation. Key areas include:

• Crystal growth from liquid and solid phases
• Quasicrystal formation and stability
• Grain boundary dynamics and abnormal grain growth
• Microstructural evolution in metallic alloys

Scientific Awards:

• AFOSR YIP Award (2017)
• ARO YIP Award (2018)
• NSF CAREER Award (2019)
• MSE Faculty Outstanding Accomplishment Award (2021)
• ARO ECASE Award (2022)
• ASM Bradley Stoughton Award for Young Teachers (2022)
• TMS Frontiers of Materials Award (2023)

Group and Mentorship: Professor Shahani actively mentors a diverse group of graduate students and postdocs. Notable students include Jiwoong Kang, Paul Chao, and Geordie Lindemann, who have presented award-winning posters and visualizations at national symposia. He has open positions for graduate students and postdocs and encourages interested candidates to contact him directly.