Carlos G. Levi is Professor of Materials and Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (1984-present).  He holds Ph.D. (1981) and M.Sc. (1977) degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, México (1972).  His industrial experience includes appointments at the Mexican affiliates of Harbison-Walker (1972-75) and W.S. Atkins, a UK Engineering consultancy (1981-84).   He serves on the Technical Advisory Board at Alcoa Howmet, and has been a consultant for various companies throughout his academic career.

The overarching theme of Dr. Levi’s research is the understanding of microstructure evolution in ceramics and metals, and the application of this understanding to the conceptual design of improved structural and functional materials.  He has authored or co-authored over 150 papers and has been previously honored with the NIMS Award for Recent Breakthroughs in Materials Science for Energy and the Environment (2008), the DLR Wissenschaftspreis (2004), the Alexander Von Humboldt Research Award for Senior U.S. Scientists (2002), as well as the Grossmann Award (1989) and Howe Medal  (1983) of ASM International.  Levi has been an ACerS member, and member of the Basic Science Division, since 1996.

Levi’s current research focuses on the fundamental understanding of thermal and environmental barrier coatings for advanced gas turbine engines, the processing and performance of ceramic composite systems and the development of environmental barrier concepts for advanced nuclear reactors.  He is also working on the understanding and development of metastable paths to synthesize functional materials with improved capabilities, e.g. thermoelectrics.