Michael Naguib

My Greatest Accomplishment

During my PhD studies I developed a new family of two-dimensional materials, named MXenes, that have promising energy storage applications, including in ion batteries and supercapacitors. Despite the newness of this discovery (the first MXene was identified four years ago), more than 15 different varieties have been reported experimentally and many more are expected to be stable. This discovery opened the door for hundreds of scientists around the world to explore these novel materials’ properties and applications. I received many awards in recognition of my innovative and interdisciplinary research in the field of materials science, including the Ross Coffin Purdy Award, the Gold MRS Graduate Student Award and the Graduate Excellence in Materials Science. After my PhD I was named a Wigner Fellow (one of the most competitive fellowships in national laboratories) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where I’m continuing my research on MXenes and other two-dimensional materials.

How Drexel Helped

Drexel provided an excellent doctoral program with excellent research capabilities. In addition, Drexel also provided outstanding advisors who encourage and support innovative ideas, and do their best to help young scientists thrive.

Where I’ll be in Five Years

A materials scientist in a national laboratory or a professor in a university exploring novel energy materials.