ACerS is pleased to announce Bai Cui has been selected for Volunteer Spotlight, a program that recognizes a member who demonstrates outstanding service to The American Ceramic Society through volunteerism.
Cui is professor of mechanical and materials engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL). He received his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Imperial College London and later conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. Since joining UNL in 2014, he has established an internationally recognized research program focused on advanced ceramic materials for extreme environments.
Cui’s research centers on compositionally complex (high-entropy) ceramics, ultrahigh-temperature ceramics, irradiation-resistant materials, and advanced laser-based manufacturing technologies. He is widely recognized as a pioneer in compositionally complex carbides and authored the first peer-reviewed publication on the topic in 2018. His group also conducted one of the earliest irradiation damage studies on compositionally complex carbides, helping establish the foundation for understanding their irradiation tolerance for advanced nuclear energy applications.
In addition to research, Cui is passionate about mentoring students, building collaborations across academia and industry, and supporting the growth of the ceramics and manufacturing communities through professional service and volunteer leadership. Through his service on the ACerS Meetings Committee, he has contributed to the planning and advancement of the Society’s technical programming and community engagement activities.
Cui has been deeply involved in the Manufacturing Division and currently serves as Division chair. He has organized numerous symposia and technical sessions at ACerS meetings, particularly in the areas of advanced manufacturing, ultrahigh-temperature ceramics, and compositionally complex ceramics. He also contributed to expanding the visibility and influence of the Manufacturing Division by helping position it among the six founding Divisions of ACerS Spring Meeting, which took place for the first time in April 2026. His contributions to the ceramics community have been recognized through honors including the Global Ambassador Award, the Global Star Award from the Engineering Ceramics Division, and the Outstanding Associate Editor Award from Journal of the American Ceramic Society.
We extend our deep appreciation to Cui for his service to our Society!
