Reeja Jayan

Reeja Jayan is a professor in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Materials Science & Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, where she also serves as director of the Center for Faculty Success. She leads interdisciplinary research exploring how electromagnetic fields can control materials synthesis and energy storage behavior.

Jayan is the founder and chief executive officer of SeaLion Energy Inc.Opens in new window, a CMU spinout advancing polymer coatings that extend battery life and enable regeneration of lithium-ion cells. Since its launch in 2023, SeaLion has secured over $2 million in grant funding and is scaling its technology with industrial and government partners.

She has led a research portfolio of over $22 million, collaborated with and mentored more than 50 researchers, and taught over 1,000 students. Her work has earned recognition including the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, Army Research Office (ARO) Young Investigator Award, Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Young Investigator Award, and selection to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences panel advising the Army Research Lab. She was also a 2024 finalist for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Award, recognizing women leaders in clean energy.

She serves as associate editor of Science Advances, was elected to the Board of the International Microwave Power Institute (IMPI), and has chaired or served on multiple national and international scientific committees.

Title: The Spark Between Fields: Emerging Materials Opportunities with Electromagnetic Control

Can we use energy more intelligently to make the materials of the future?

Abstract: This talk explores how electromagnetic fields—like microwaves—can guide chemical reactions in surprising ways, helping us create advanced materials with less heat, less waste, and more control. From coatings for batteries to 3D-printed engineering ceramics, learn how this emerging approach could transform how we power, build, and manufacture in a cleaner world.