The JALCOM Award

The Journal of Alloys and Compounds (JALCOM) from Elsevier in cooperation with the Brazilian Materials Research Society (B-MRS) is pleased to invite researchers from Brazilian institutions to apply for The JALCOM Award.

The Journal of Alloys and Compounds is an international peer-reviewed medium that disseminates original work for the advance of the science of materials comprising compounds and alloys. Its great strength lies in the diversity of disciplines that the journal encompasses, drawing together results from materials science, physical metallurgy, solid-state chemistry, and condensed matter physics.

 

Awards

Achievement JALCOM Award. This JALCOM Award will be given to an Advanced Career Researcher (Researcher or Professor) who received his/her Ph.D. for at least 10 years.

Rising Star JALCOM Award. Two Rising Star JALCOM Awards will be given to Early Career Researchers who received their Ph.D. degree within the last 10 years.

For both awards, we will consider researchers who have contributed to the following fields that JALCOM covers:

  • Energy conversion and storage
  • Hydrogen production and storage materials
  • Solar photocatalysis applications
  • High entropy alloys
  • Batteries and battery materials
  • Metastable materials
  • Magnetocaloric materials
  • Sensors

 

How to apply

To apply for the Awards, interested researchers must submit the following documents, in English:

  1. A letter of up to 2 pages highlighting the main contributions to one or more fields of interest listed above.
  2. Submissions must also include a brief CV containing information considered important for the awards.
  3. Equity criteria: To promote equality between men and women in academic activities, we highly encourage female scientists to apply for the awards, and detailed information on each advent of offspring must be included in the proposal submission, in a separate document, called “Equity Document”.

Participants should send the documents to jalcomawards@sbpmat.org.br.

Deadline: the deadline for the nomination is August 15th, 2023.

 

Prizes

1) Advanced Career Researchers: An award certificate, and a cash prize of US$1,000.00.

2) Early Career Researchers:   An award certificate, and a cash prize of US$500.00 for each award.

 

Winners

A selection committee will be assembled to nominate the awards winners.

The award winners will be announced at the XXI B-MRS meeting closing ceremony. The presence of the winner at the meeting is not mandatory for receiving the prize.

Researchers do not need to have published in JALCOM  to be nominated. However, they may be invited to contribute with a research/perspective/review paper to the journal.

 

If you have any questions, please contact us at jalcomawards@sbpmat.org.br.

 

Postdoc in composite metamaterials for aeronautical application at the Federal Institute of Maranhão.

Professor Edson Miranda Jr. (http://lattes.cnpq.br/9782653543954493) has 1 (one) position open for a postdoctoral position in the area of DYNAMICS
AND VIBRATION OF COMPOSITE METAMATERIALS FOR AERONAUTICAL APPLICATION, in the Department of Mechanical and Materials of the Federal Institute of Maranhão (for the simulation part, it is not necessary to be full-time in São Luís-MA).

The position is to work in a project funded by CNPq, specifically with experiments and modelling of dynamical systems, wave propagation, and passive vibration control applied to aeronautical engines. The researcher will have the opportunity to collaborate with outstanding research groups, mainly, in
Brazil and Italy.

The candidate should have a doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering or related areas.

Knowledge and experience on finite element modelling, wave propagation, periodic systems, mechanical vibration, composite materials, and signal processing are desired.

Knowledge of MATLAB and good English are mandatory.

Knowledge of COMSOL software, plane wave expansion (PWE) approach, and composite material manufacturing are differentials.

The scholarship is of R$ 4.500,00 (SET-C) from now (april/2023) until 11/17/2025 (the end of the project).

The interested should send the following documents to edson.jansen@ifma.edu. The documents are:

1) A detailed CV with research experience and average graduate degree results.

2) A motivation letter detailing how your research profile and interest relate to the project.

3) A recommendation letter from researcher or professor.

An online interview shall be scheduled after the evaluation of the documents.

Tribute to Aldo F. Craievich from Daniel M. Ugarte.

About Aldo Craievich: homage, reflections and memories.

Prof. Aldo Craievich visiting the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. (Photo from Prof. Daniel Ugarte's personal archive)
Prof. Aldo Craievich visiting the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. (Photo from Prof. Daniel Ugarte’s personal archive)

On April 24, 2023, Prof. Aldo Felix Craievich died in São Paulo, two months after his 84th birthday.

Aldo was born in the province of Santa Fe in Argentina and graduated in physics at the Instituto Balseiro in Bariloche in 1964. He later carried out his doctoral work in France under the supervision of André Guinier, a world famous researcher in the area of X-ray diffraction. In 1973, he moved to Brazil and held positions at several universities and research institutes such as the Institute of Physics and Chemistry of São Carlos (IFQSC-USP), the Brazilian Center for Research in Physics (CBPF) and the Institute of Physics at USP in São Paulo city.

There are abundant sources where it is possible to obtain detailed biographical data on Aldo – without a doubt, one of the most outstanding researchers in materials science in Brazil. But probably, Aldo will always be remembered for his contribution to the construction of the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) in Campinas, where he worked in the initial gestation of the project and later as Scientific Director during the construction of the first UVX storage ring. Aldo assumed responsibility for the design and construction of beamlines and, above all, the training of users for the future Brazilian source of synchrotron light.

I met Aldo personally when I moved from Switzerland to Brazil in 1993 to join the team at the incipient LNLS. The leadership of the laboratory consisted of three directors: Cylon Gonçalves da Silva, Ricardo Rodrigues and Aldo. A short conversation with them about the project to build a synchrotron with national technology starting from scratch was inspiring. What a progressive and courageous vision! I had the privilege of observing how they associated competence and originality, always looking for creative solutions adapted to the low resources and real possibilities in the Brazilian context. In addition to the material aspects, the project required the construction of a specialized technical-scientific human resources team. It is important that the new generations of professionals visualize and understand the Herculean task that was to develop and build everything, everything. An analogy would be building a skyscraper when you have to learn how to make every brick, every steel bar, every little piece. What a challenge they faced, and what a complete triumvirate! Ricardo, the creativity, engineering and physics of accelerators. Aldo, the application of synchrotron radiation, science and the training of human resources. And Cylon, weaving together different aspects like accelerator science and technology with science policy and organizing a management system for a big science laboratory. Wow, what a trio! I can tell my advisees, students, children and grandchildren, that I worked closely with them during the construction of the LNLS.!! And I didn’t bother much…

Despite his position as Director, Aldo had the humility to try to convince each researcher or student of the great opportunities that LNLS offered. He organized numerous schools in Brazil, Latin America and ICTP-Trieste, where he received students from all areas, physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, medicine, etc. This effort on an international scale is clearly reflected in the various awards he has received in other countries and in Mercosur. Perhaps the greatest recognition received by Aldo was his entry into the Brazilian Academy of Sciences in 2015, at almost 80 years old. On a very personal level, I ask myself every day: why did Aldo have to wait so long? Almost 20 years since the start of operation of the UVX, the first synchrotron in the southern hemisphere. Well… in the end justice was served, better late than never. My biggest sadness is that Aldo’s partner in the project, Ricardo Rodrigues, responsible for the design (accelerator physics) and construction (engineering, electronics, materials, etc.) of the UVX and the new synchrotron, Sirius, left in 2020 without receiving this honor. The history of Latin America shows a social and economic development with many paradoxes, such as, for example, strong urbanization without industrialization. The formation of the scientific and technological community in the country was not exempt from these peculiarities. Therefore, it is important to evolve to give more value to applied works, to the construction of real and operational equipment of small, medium or huge size, to the creation of instrumentation, sometimes advanced and sometimes just practical and cheap solutions. Innovation and industrialization, so sought after and mentioned today, will thank us. As Aldo described well in his words: “there is no division between basic and applied research, the real dichotomy is good or bad quality research”.

For us, in the Argentine community, Aldo was “el cracho”, the nickname by which he has been known since his beginnings in physics and the exact sciences. Cracho is a synonym for energy, positive energy, endless energy, energy that is contagious and makes progress, energy that transmits optimism, energy that motivates, energy that sets an example, energy that moves mountains, energy against winds and seas . The deep knowledge, the long, objective and sincere conversation, the culture, the willingness to help, to encourage people to face challenges, the example of science, humanity and ethics. This is the image I have of Aldo. I was blessed to work closely with him at the beginning of my career as a young independent scientist at LNLS. How much I learned! He was a mentor, a friend, an example, a role model.

Daniel M. Ugarte
Professor
Gleb Wataghin Institute of Physics
Unicamp

On the left, in the Ugarte family home, Aldo Craievich with a son of the hosts on his lap, next to Ricardo Rodrigues, Varlei Rodrigues, Daniel Ugarte himself and Gilberto Medeiros. Right, Ugarte and Craievich at The Eagle pub in Cambridge, where James Watson and Francis Crick matured the structure of DNA (the famous double helix) and announced it for the first time. The discovery of the double helix was based on X-ray diffraction images, a technique greatly appreciated by Craievich, who helped to disseminate it in Latin America.
On the left, in the Ugarte family home, Aldo Craievich next to Ricardo Rodrigues, Varlei Rodrigues, Daniel Ugarte himself and Gilberto Medeiros. Right, Ugarte and Craievich at The Eagle pub in Cambridge, where James Watson and Francis Crick matured the structure of DNA and announced it for the first time. The discovery of the double helix was based on X-ray diffraction, a technique greatly appreciated by Craievich, who helped to disseminate it in Latin America.

Aldo Felix Craievich: note of condolences.

It is with deep regret that B-MRS informs the death of its founding member Aldo Felix Craievich, senior professor at USP, which occurred in the early hours of today, April 24, 2023, at the age of 84.

Craievich was a pioneer in glass research in Brazil and one of the protagonists in the history of the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). In addition, he dedicated himself to training users of synchrotron light, mainly in Latin America.

In 2016, B-MRS distinguished him with the Memorial Lecture “Joaquim da Costa Ribeiro” in recognition of his trajectory.

The Executive Board of B-MRS deeply regrets the departure of this Argentine scientist, who had lived in Brazil since 1973, and would like to remember him as a member who made great contributions to our community.

Call for symposia and suggestions of plenary speakers for the XXI B-MRS Meeting (Maceió, October 1st to 5th, 2023).

logo2023The call for symposium proposals to compose the XXI B-MRS Meeting is open until December 3rd this year. The event will be held from October 1st to 5th, 2023 in Maceió (Alagoas, Brazil), chaired by Professors Carlos Jacinto da Silva and Mario Roberto Meneghetti, from the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL).

Proposals can be submitted by teams of researchers (Ph.D.), preferably of international composition, wishing to organize a symposium within the event on a research topic in the field of Materials Science and Technology – from the design, synthesis and characterization of materials to their applications in the most diverse segments. The list of approved final symposia will be published on December 16 this year.

To submit a symposium proposal, simply fill out, in English, the online form available at http://sbpmat.org.br/proposed_symposium/ .

In addition, the event’s organizing committee invites the community to send suggestions of plenary speakers (internationally renowned scientists who can give a motivational lecture on advances made over time in a particular research topic, as well as the challenges and perspectives for the future). The plenary lectures should interest a wide audience, with different levels of training and thematic specialties.

Suggestions for the plenary lectures must be submitted by November 20th of this year through this Google form.

XXI B-MRS Meeting website: https://www.sbpmat.org.br/21encontro/ .

Featured article: Catalysts for the sustainable production of hydrogen peroxide.

This schematic figure shows an electrochemical hydrogen peroxide generator and, in detail, the catalyst developed by the Brazilian team.
This schematic figure shows an electrochemical hydrogen peroxide generator and, in detail, the catalyst developed by the Brazilian team.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a compound widely used, especially as a bleach or antiseptic in the production of pulp and paper, in cleaning, pharmacy and beauty products and in the treatment of wastewater, among other applications. With a large and growing market, the production of hydrogen peroxide has the challenge of becoming more sustainable, using methods that are environmentally friendly and allow the compound to be obtained in the same place where it will be used, reducing risks, costs and the environmental impact of transport. In this scenario, producing hydrogen peroxide in electrochemical generators using basically water, air and electricity is a promising path, which some companies are already treading. However, the success of this process largely depends on having efficient, stable and low-cost catalysts.

In a recently published scientific article, a team made up of researchers from the Brazilian Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), and the São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC-USP) made a contribution in this regard. They developed catalysts based on graphene nanoribbons and metallic nanoparticles and studied in detail their performance in the electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide. In addition to showing that these catalysts significantly improve reaction efficiency, equating to the best conventional catalysts in some aspects, the study advanced the understanding of fundamental phenomena that open possibilities to continue optimizing the electrocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide.

Transmission electron microscopy images of the catalyst material. It is possible to observe the nanoparticles (in this case, palladium oxide and molybdenum) anchored in the graphene nanoribbons.
Transmission electron microscopy images of the catalyst material. It is possible to observe the nanoparticles (in this case, palladium oxide and molybdenum) anchored on the graphene nanoribbons.

“We proposed the synthesis of catalysts with a low content of noble metal (≤6.4% by mass), with high catalytic efficiency and high durability for the electrochemical production of H2O2”, says Professor Gilberto Maia (UFMS), co-author of the article. Indeed, noble metals such as gold and palladium are known for their catalytic properties but have the disadvantage of cost. “Our catalysts were built from oxides of molybdenum, gold and palladium, which together form nanoparticles anchored on the surface of graphene nanoribbons”, describes Maia.

The team tested the efficiency of the catalysts in terms of generating hydrogen peroxide through the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR-2e– ), in which one molecule of oxygen, two hydrogen cations and two electrons form one molecule of hydrogen peroxide. Mainly, the researchers tested, with very positive results, the activity of the catalyst (its ability to increase the rate of reaction), its selectivity (its ability to direct the reaction towards a certain product, in this case, hydrogen peroxide) and its stability (the ability to maintain its properties over time).

“The results we obtained showed that the improved catalytic activity for ORR-2e–  was promoted by a combination of factors including geometry, palladium content, interparticle distance and active site blocking effects, while the electrochemical stability of the catalysts may have been enhanced by the presence of molybdenum”, says Professor Maia.

The work was developed within a collaboration between researchers from the Institute of Chemistry at UFMS and the Environmental Electrochemistry Research Group at IQSC-USP, who have been working together on the synthesis, characterization and application of electrocatalytic materials. According to the authors, the main idea and the first combinations of synthesis emerged as an offshoot of the doctoral thesis by Guilherme Fortunato, which was supervised by Professor Gilberto Maia and was defended in UFMS in 2019. The work continued and finalized within the postdoctoral research of Fortunato, carried out at IQSC under the supervision of Professor Marcos Lanza.

The research was funded by Brazilian federal and state agencies Capes, CNPq, FAPESP and FUNDECT-MS.

Some of the authors of the article. From left: Guilherme V. Fortunato, Leticia B. Siqueira, Eduardo S. F. Cardoso, Marcos R. V. Lanza and Gilberto Maia.
Some of the authors of the article. From left: Guilherme V. Fortunato, Leticia B. Siqueira, Eduardo S. F. Cardoso, Marcos R. V. Lanza and Gilberto Maia.

Paper reference: Using Palladium and Gold Palladium Nanoparticles Decorated with Molybdenum Oxide for Versatile Hydrogen Peroxide Electroproduction on Graphene Nanoribbons. Guilherme V. Fortunato, Leticia S. Bezerra, Eduardo S. F. Cardoso, Matheus S. Kronka, Alexsandro J. Santos, Anderson S. Greco, Jorge L. R. Júnior, Marcos R. V. Lanza, and Gilberto Maia. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2022 14 (5), 6777-6793. DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c22362.

Corresponding authors contact: g.fortunato@usp.br and gilberto.maia@ufms.br.