CSET Good News Report January 2025
Center for Materials Research and Engineering Department
Clifford Denize, a doctoral student at the Center for Materials Research in Dr. Bahoura’s group, won a travel award to present his research titled “Rf-magnetron sputtering vs. Sulfurization of Steel Spacers: What Fabricates Pyrite Thin Films Best?” at the 2025 Emerging Researchers National (Ern) Conference in Stem that will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on April 4-6, 2025. The researchers are investigating pyrite thin film production methods, comparing sulfurization of steel spacers with Rf-sputtering for applications in lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, and semiconductors. Preliminary data from Raman and X-ray Diffraction revealed that sulfurized steel spacers produce pyrite with potentially improved surface stoichiometry compared to Rf-sputtering. Electrochemical analysis showed distinct differences, suggesting surface composition critically influences electrode performance. The study aims to optimize this simple, promising approach for manufacturing high-quality pyrite thin films across various technological domains.
Dionna Butts, a Chemistry undergraduate student in Dr. Bahoura’s group and an Undergraduate Research and Mentorship (Urm) scholar, won a travel award to present her research titled “Enhancing Vanadium Oxide Electrochromic Smart Windows for Energy-Efficient Building Applications” at the 2025 Emerging Researchers National (Ern) Conference in Stem that will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on April 4-6, 2025. The researchers are developing an innovative electrochromic device using vanadium oxide thin-film electrodes to address building energy consumption. Smart window technology demonstrates rapid switching, low operating voltages, and high optical contrast, potentially reducing Hvac energy demands through dynamic light modulation. The device holds a promise for energy-efficient building applications.
Sycoi David, a 4th Year Mechanical Engineering Technology at ODU working with Dr. Bahoura’s group, won a travel award to present his research titled “Improving Lithium-Ion Batteries with Sulfurized Pyrite Slurry Thin Films” at the 2025 Emerging Researchers National (Ern) Conference in Stem that will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on April 4-6, 2025. The researchers are exploring sulfurization as a method to enhance pyrite thin film performance in lithium-ion batteries. By creating a slurry of Fes₂ powder and applying it to steel spacers through a high-temperature sulfurization process, the study aims to improve the structural and electrochemical properties of battery cathodes. Characterization techniques revealed promising insights into potential performance improvements, with future research focused on standardizing electrode surfaces for consistent results.
Ayodeji Aderin, an Electrical and Electronics Engineering Undergraduate senior in Dr. Bahoura’s group, won a travel award to present his research titled “Characterization of Electrochromic Films by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry” at the 2025 Emerging Researchers National (Ern) Conference in Stem that will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on April 4-6, 2025. Researchers are using spectroscopic ellipsometry and multiple analytical techniques to comprehensively characterize electrochromic thin films for smart window applications. By analyzing optical properties, refractive indices, and material bandgaps through advanced parametric modeling, the study provides critical insights into the structure-property relationships of these innovative materials, enhancing understanding of their potential performance.
Department of Biology
Dr. Suresh Subedi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, received a grant from the International Oak Society focused on “Preserving the Future of the Vulnerable Endemic Species Quercus arkansana”. Congratulations Dr. Subedi!
NSU received the Sustained Distinguished Performance award for 2025 from Elizabeth River Project - NSU is a Riverstar! Dr. Ashley Haines, Dr. Stephen Via and other Biology faculty members collaborated with NSU Facilities to engage in a wide variety of sustainability measures during 2024. 
These included native plantings on campus, stormwater management education activities and new recycling programs. Facilities helped the campus avoided an astounding 16M lbs. of air emissions through energy efforts that also realized a cost savings of more than a $1M. A new recycling program was implemented and electrification of NSU facilities vehicles was expanded. The campus also engaged in new approaches to educating students, faculty and staff about the wide array of stormwater management efforts across our grounds.
CSET
Schev and Dominion Energy Announce Outstanding Faculty Awards Messaoud Bahoura (Norfolk State University) The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and Dominion Energy are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Awards, each of whom will receive a $7,500 gift from Dominion Energy at an in-person ceremony on March 4, 2025, in Richmond. Since 1987, these awards have recognized faculty at Virginia’s institutions of higher learning who exemplify the highest standards of teaching, scholarship and service. Institutions select the nominees, then a panel of peers reviews the applications. A committee of leaders from the public and private sectors selects the final recipients. This year, the program received 83 nominations. This group narrowed to a field of 24 finalists and then to the 12 recipients. Messaoud Bahoura is a distinguished professor of engineering and director of the Center for Materials Research at Norfolk State University (NSU). With more than 20 years of leadership in cutting-edge research, he has spearheaded pioneering projects in renewable energy and advanced nanomaterials. Dr. Bahoura secured $36 million in grant funding, the largest in NSU’s history, and mentored the highest number of Stem doctoral graduates at the institution. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and presented at more than 177 global conferences. His Stem outreach initiatives have empowered underrepresented youth in the community. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Dr. Bahoura received NSU’s highest honors: the University Professor Award and the Distinguished Scholarship Award in 2024. He holds a B.S. in physics from the University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algeria, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in physics from Paris-Sud University, France.
- Norfolk State University Partnerships – Start HBCU
- Norfolk State University partnership with Sandia University Partnerships Network Securing Top Research & Talent at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (Start HBCU)
- Fueling Collaboration: Uniting Minds & Igniting Innovation
June 2024 Driving Quantum Education forward with Norfolk State University: We are thrilled to be actively engaged in collaborative efforts with Norfolk State University to develop their Quantum Phd program, with a specific focus on materials and device manufacturing. As a testament to our commitment, our Campus Executive Christian Mailhiot is serving on the Advisory Board, providing invaluable support for curriculum development and the proposal to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This partnership is driven by our shared goal of ensuring the curriculum meets the highest standards and aligns with the evolving needs of the industry. Together, we are dedicated to advancing quantum education and research, fostering innovation in this rapidly growing field.
June 2024 Sandian’s Empower Students at NSU Networking Luncheon: Sandian’s, Tanzie Judge and Monica Salter-Williams were honored to attend the NSU Networking/Etiquette Luncheon, an event organized for students in the Sparc Summer Bridge Program. As the sole technical representatives present, they had the privilege of sharing invaluable insights about Sandia and the Start HBCU initiative. Their engaging presentations provided students with comprehensive information on the wide array of opportunities and resources available through these programs. Tanzie and Monica's participation offered students a unique and inspiring perspective on technical careers, while emphasizing the robust support available for their academic and professional development.
July 2024 Norfolk University Representatives Visit Sandia for Partnership Discussion: Sandia had the opportunity to host representatives from Norfolk University, including Dr. Ana Vivas and Dr. Patricia Mead. During their visit, they were given comprehensive tours of our facilities, actively participated in the summer intern celebration and poster symposium, engaged in fruitful discussions regarding collaborative partnerships. The tours included a visit to Q Scout, our cutting-edge quantum computing testbed. These collaborative discussions, which involved virtual participation from other Norfolk State faculty and leadership, centered around potential collaborations in Quantum Science Education, Artificial Intelligence, and Advanced Manufacturing. Key points of focus included leveraging strengths to advance research and development, identifying areas for collaboration, supporting NSU students in securing internships and careers at Sandia, and enhancing engagement through various programs and workshops. August 2024 Fostering Academic Excellence at Sandia’s Sip Hosted Graduate School Fair: Sandia's Student Interns Program (Sip) organized a highly successful graduate school fair at New Mexico's National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, where esteemed universities from across the nation were invited to engage with our talented interns. This exceptional event provided interns from various departments with a unique opportunity to network with representatives from different universities, gaining valuable insights into their campuses and graduate school programs. Notably, Norfolk State University made history as the first Historically Black College or University ( HBCU) to attend the fair, with Dr. Patricia Mead representing the institution and showcasing exceptional opportunities. The attendees included not only HBCU interns but also interns from multiple institutions, fostering a diverse and enriching experience for all participants.
September 2024 Tracer Fire Capture the Flag Hackathon Collaboration: Sandia National Laboratories, in collaboration with Norfolk State University, hosted the highly anticipated Tracer Forensic Incident Response Exercise (Fire) Capture the Flag Hackathon. This event provided students from Alabama A&M University and Norfolk State University with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of cybersecurity through realistic threat scenarios mirroring actual cyberattacks. Guided by Sandia experts, students navigated complex challenges to detect, trace, and neutralize virtual enemies, honing their skills in a controlled yet authentic environment. The hackathon offered invaluable experience for students to showcase their talents, expand their cybersecurity knowledge, and forge connections with peers and professionals. With over 50 students participating and fostering numerous student-faculty interactions, the Tracer Fire Capture the Flag Hackathon served as a gateway to the exciting world of cybersecurity. October 2024 Empowering Students, Leaving a Lasting Impression: Anthony Sanders, the Sandia program manager for Start HBCU, recently delivered a captivating presentation at Norfolk State University. His presentations covered a range of topics, including his professional journey, insights into the Start HBCU program, career opportunities at Sandia and National Security Enterprise. Anthony's presentations aimed to inspire students by showcasing the diverse pathways available in the fields of science and engineering.
October 2024 Collaboration Visit from Florida A&M Representatives to Sandia: We are excited to highlight a recent visit from faculty representatives of Norfolk State University (NSU) to Sandia, including Drs. Adem Ibrahim, Ivy Jones, Patricia Mead, Prathap Basappa, and virtual attendee Michael Kozhevnikov. The meeting focused on exploring Sandia's capabilities, initiating conversations for potential collaborations, and promoting student development and internship opportunities. The attendees engaged in a series of informative tours and discussions, beginning with a meeting on XR/VR and digital twins, followed by a tour of the Virtual Intelligence Performance Engineering Research (Viper) Lab. They also visited the Photovoltaic Systems Evaluation Lab, where they observed characterization processes for perovskites and other cell technologies. Additional discussions covered advanced packaging, fabrication and materials, virtual optics, power electronics, and aerodynamics, with both Sandians and NSU faculty presenting their work, research interests, and institutional capabilities. This visit has laid the groundwork for future collaborations and strengthened the relationship
November 2024 Student Researcher Layla Smith Presents Ldrd Research at Sandia's Virtual Poster Session: We are pleased to highlight the achievement of student researcher Layla Smith. During Sandia's virtual poster session in November, Layla had the opportunity to present hers and Dr. Doyle Temple's research, which they engaged with Sandia Pi, Wei Pan. Her presentation focused on the significant contributions of NSU in electronic transport studies in quantum wells, providing valuable insights to Sandia researchers, leadership, and fellow student researchers from partner universities. Layla's participation exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and research excellence that drives our partnership forward.