Sara Majetich

Sara A. Majetich is a Professor of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University's Mellon College of Science, with courtesy appointments in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering. Her research centers on magnetic nanoparticles and their applications in data storage, permanent magnets, and biomedicine.

• Education: Ph.D. in Physics (University of Georgia, 1987), M.A. in Physics (Columbia University, 1980)

Research Interests: She investigates the collective magnetic behavior of self-assembled nanoparticle arrays, phase transitions in nanoscale systems, and development of functional nanocomposites through surfactant replacement. Techniques include electron holography, Lorentz microscopy, and polarized small-angle neutron scattering.

Recent Research Trends: Recent work focuses on voltage-controlled exchange coupling in magnetic tunnel junctions, spin-orbit torque switching, skyrmion detection, and biomedical applications like hyperthermia optimization. Her group explores probabilistic computing with superparamagnetic nanoparticles and angle-dependent switching dynamics.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Carnegie Science Award (2010)
  • NSF National Young Investigator Award (1992)

• Professional Affiliations:
  • Fellow, IEEE
  • Fellow, American Physical Society