Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Director, Center for Faculty Success, College of Engineering
Courtesy Appointments, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering
Reeja Jayan is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). She also holds courtesy appointments in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering. Jayan leads the Adaptive Experimentation Thrust at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Center of Excellence at CMU. Her multidisciplinary research lies at the intersection of electromagnetics and materials science. Her group pioneered instrumentation to watch chemical reactions taking place under microwave radiation. These tools can map out dynamic structural transformations and measure kinetic parameters as reactions progress from precursor molecules towards various structural polymorphs. She applies this knowledge of field-matter coupling mechanisms to lower temperatures and to control reaction pathways, thus enabling the sustainable synthesis, processing, and manufacturing of ceramic materials for energy storage and sensing applications.
Jayan is a strong believer in game-based learning methodologies that she uses extensively in her undergraduate and graduate engineering courses. She is a recipient of the 2018 National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, 2017 Army Research Office (ARO) Young Investigator Award, 2016 Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Young Investigator Award, CMU Engineering Dean’s Early Career Fellowship, the George Tallman Ladd Research Award, the Donald L. and Rhonda Struminger Faculty Fellowship, the Berkman Faculty Development Fund, and Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Award. Her research is also funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), and by private sponsors.
2012 Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
2008 MS, Electrical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
2002 B. Tech., Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, University of Kerala
MSN
MechE’s Reeja Jayan spoke with MSN about the potential of solid-state batteries being used in electric vehicles. “Cons currently include higher manufacturing costs associated with the way the solid electrolyte is made and pressurized into the cells,” Jayan explains.
CMU Engineering
Reeja Jayan designed a syllabus that incorporates Minecraft to give students a hands-on approach to learning about materials science concepts like chemical vapor deposition polymerization without setting foot in an actual lab.
CMU Engineering
The relaunched Center for Faculty Success will provide professional development, training, and leadership opportunities that empower faculty to succeed throughout their academic careers.
CMU Engineering
Six members from the College of Engineering were recognized at CMU’s annual Celebration of Education Awards.
Wards Auto
MechE’s Reeja Jayan shares her thoughts on how temperature affects battery-powered vehicles’ ability to change in Wards Auto. The cold can make batteries charge less effectively
AP News
MechE’s Reeja Jayan comments on battery technology in the crashed Venice bus in AP News. “In batteries that use nickel or cobalt, oxygen can be released if the temperature gets too hot, fueling a fire. But in a lithium-iron-phosphate battery, there is a strong bond between oxygen and phosphorus, keeping the oxygen in place,” she says.
CMU Engineering
Researchers at CMU and the University of Texas at Austin have designed a model that accurately predicts a battery’s charge curve, which could impact the safety and reliability of electric vehicles.
CMU Engineering
Carnegie Mellon Researchers have taken inspiration from geckos to create a material that adheres to wet and dry surfaces, even on an incline.
International Microwave Power Institute
MechE’s Reeja Jayan has been elected to the Board of International Microwave Power Institute, the leading scientific organization dedicated to the international microwave energy community.
Utah Public Radio
MechE’s Reeja Jayan talks to Utah Public Radio about her nonlinear path toward becoming a professor in engineering. She is the author of a chapter in the recently published book Women in Mechanical Engineering.
New York Times
MechE’s Reeja Jayan was quoted in The New York Times about her use of Minecraft for a materials science class.
Mechanical Engineering
MechE’s Reeja Jayan contributed an inspirational chapter to the new book, Women in Mechanical Engineering: Energy and Environment, in which she discusses her atypical journey to a career in engineering.