Singh’s big year: CEAT professor earns numerous prestigious honors in 2024

Singh's big year: CEAT professor earns numerous prestigious honors in 2024

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Media Contact: Desa James | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-2669 | [email protected]

Dr. Raj N. Singh - regents professor at Oklahoma State University's College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology - has had an extraordinary year.

His election to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering stands as the pinnacle of his career, recognizing a lifetime of contributions to the field of materials science and engineering.

But this recognition is just one of the many remarkable milestones in Singh's journey. 

From a young age, Singh was drawn to understanding how things worked, whether it was fixing his mother's sewing machine or being captivated by the mechanics of a school bus. This early curiosity laid the foundation for his passion for engineering, which ultimately led him to focus on materials science during high school when he became fascinated by how chemistry could convert raw materials like iron ore into steel. 

His academic journey took him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned his doctoral degree in ceramics. Over the years, Singh has worked at prestigious institutions, including Argonne National Laboratory and the GE-R&D Center. Upon joining OSU in 2012, he served as the founding head of OSU's School of Materials Science and Engineering at OSU-Tulsa. 

Singh has made transformative contributions to science and technology. One of his most significant innovations is the Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMCs), a material that revolutionized the efficiency of jet engines. His patented melt-infiltration process allows for the production of damage-tolerant and lightweight CMCs and has been widely adopted by GE Aviation.  

These materials have since accumulated over 20 million flight hours in commercial aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus, marking a major shift in the aviation industry. Singh's inventions have not only reduced engine weight but have also significantly increased engine efficiency, lowered carbon emissions, thereby benefiting both industry and society at large. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Singh is deeply committed to educating the next generation of engineers and scientists. He views mentorship as a critical part of his role - helping students develop curiosity, creativity and a lifelong passion for learning.  

"It is most satisfying to mentor young minds to be curious, inventive and dedicated learners, not only in school but throughout their entire life," Singh said. 

In addition to his recent election to the NAE, Singh is a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society, the National Academy of Inventors and the American Society for Metals.  

Another remarkable achievement is Singh's election to the rank of American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow. The AAAS notes that Sing's election is "for pioneering and game-changing scientific and technological contributions to the field of materials, particularly transformative processing and manufacturing of Ceramic Composites." 

Singh was also selected as OSU-Tulsa's 2024 President's Outstanding Research Award recipient, recognizing his research excellence at OSU.  

"Dr. Raj Singh has received so many prestigious national and international honors … perhaps more than any faculty member in OSU history," said Dr. Kenneth Sewell, vice president for research.  

"His election into the National Academy of Engineering is the highest disciplinary honor an engineer can achieve. He has conducted groundbreaking research, all while being a mentor to the next generation of materials engineering innovators. Dr. Singh's research and discoveries have improved all of our lives and have elevated Oklahoma State University. We're very proud of him." 

Dr. Hanchen Huang, CEAT dean, echoed Sewell's praise for Singh."This is a well-deserved recognition, and it is just one of the many remarkable milestones in Dr. Singh's journey," Huang said. "The college takes great pride in the successes of our excellent faculty as exemplified by Dr. Singh." 

Singh's research has spanned numerous fields, including nanostructured materials, nanotubes/nanorods, materials for fuel cells, and smart ferroelectric materials. It has resulted in over 350 research articles and 27 granted patents, solidifying his place as a leader in the field.He has made significant contributions to CMCss, diamond thin films, and electrolyte materials for high-energy batteries. His patented MI process for SiC fiber-reinforced CMCs is being pursued by major global entities such as GE, NASA, Rolls-Royce and others for gas turbine engines.

Singh reflected on the immense satisfaction of being recognized by his peers.  

"It is the highest distinction and recognition that an engineer can achieve, and is recognized as such worldwide," he said. 

For Singh, curiosity has been the driving force behind a career that has not only transformed his field but has also left a lasting impact on the industries he has served and the students he has inspired.