Dr. Howard Katz is a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He discusses his career in materials science and offers advice to aspiring engineers.
How did you get interested in materials science? What interests you the most about materials science?
My childhood hobby was rock collecting. In a sense, that was my first experience with materials science. I lived near a famous mine and was able to collect minerals with a wide variety of elements, hardnesses, fluorescence, etc. This led me to study chemistry during college and graduate school, as materials science was not a well-known discipline to most high school students at the time. My move to materials science occurred when I was at Bell Labs, where the major research interests were electronic and optical components. Applying my chemistry to those kinds of technologies was how I became immersed in materials science. To this day, the ability to work on science without limitation to traditional disciplinary boundaries is my favorite aspect of materials science.
What do you consider your biggest research accomplishment so far?
I have had several opportunities to seed new fields by combining a molecular design element with a desired physical property. For example, I showed that molecular dyes with large separations of positive and negative charges could be designed for enhanced capability to switch the propagation of light in a material using electronic inputs. I showed that it was possible to increase the purities, self-assembly, and switching properties of organic semiconductor molecules through organic synthesis, especially for conducting electrons and for molecular sensing. I recently introduced the idea of designed polymer thermoelectric composite materials for energy capture.
Where do you see the future of your field of research headed? What innovations are coming?
I see more and more opportunities to combine the organic and inorganic aspects of materials science for applications beyond simple switching and displays, such as for biomedical and sustainability applications. As a specific example, the rapidly increasing understanding of how to combat cancer continues to open up new materials-related approaches.
Have you faced any obstacles in your career or research? How did you overcome them?
My career began in what was arguably the world’s leading physical science research institution. As the economics and infrastructure of telecommunications and hardware-oriented science began to shift, it was important to find new avenues to develop scientific interests in those areas. I am most grateful that Johns Hopkins provided me with a wonderful opportunity to do this.
What advice do you have for students and young engineers engaging in materials research?
It is important to have an idea of what difference one’s work can make in the long term, and to carry out projects that one can demonstrate as contributions to the long term vision. It is also important to have a deep knowledge of the areas of one’s direct investigations, and a working knowledge of all the other related fields to maximize the benefits of collaboration. Getting to know as many people as possible in these fields is not only enjoyable but vital to acquiring the resources for collaborative work.
Outside of research, what hobbies or activities interest you?
My second undergraduate degree is in music, and I continue to play cello and piano for relaxation and diversion. I am a regular participant in the Baltimore Symphony Rusty Musicians performances and play in occasional chamber music groups as well. One side benefit of a career in science in engineering the the opportunity to travel, which my wife and I also enjoy.