Duke–Industry Materials Connect: 2025 Kickoff Event Brings Together Regional Industry and Duke Materials Science
On Friday, November 21, 2025, the Duke Materials Initiative and the Duke Critical Minerals Hub, in conjunction with Duke’s Office for External Partnerships, hosted the inaugural Duke-Industry Materials Connect event, an afternoon focused on collaboration, innovation, and networking across the broad space of Materials Science and Critical Minerals. The event convened over 75 attendees from leading regional companies and research institutions, Duke University faculty and researchers, and graduate students.
The session centralized around this thematic concept: Connect. Collaborate. Innovate.
This message set the tone for an afternoon designed to spark new conversations, elevate regional partnerships, and highlight Duke’s leadership in materials research and instrumentation.
Hosted in Mumma Commons at the Pratt School of Engineering, the event kicked off with welcome remarks from Pratt School Dean Jerry Lynch, who welcomed industry partners from Kyma, Scribner, Vulcan, Evident Scientific (Olympus), BASF, RTI International, NC Biotechnology Center, BASF Venture Capital, and QATCH. Representatives engaged directly with Duke researchers to explore shared interests across materials science, advanced manufacturing, characterization techniques, and emerging technologies.
Event Overview
Attendees had the opportunity to:
- Network with scientists, engineers, R&D leaders, and company representatives
- Explore pathways for collaboration, including NDAs and sponsored research
- Discuss internship opportunities for Duke graduate students in materials-focused disciplines
- Learn about and tour Duke’s Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility (SMiF) and its capabilities
- Engage with over 30 cutting-edge research posters presented by Duke Materials Science graduate students
- Enjoy light refreshments in a relaxed, conversational setting
A Launchpad for Regional Materials Innovation
Designed to strengthen connections between Duke and the broader materials and technology ecosystem across the Research Triangle and surrounding regions, the kickoff demonstrated clear enthusiasm for deeper university–industry collaboration. Company participants shared interests ranging from characterization solutions and materials manufacturing to critical minerals, device development, and advanced analytics.
The event also highlighted opportunities for future company poster displays or exhibit tables at upcoming sessions, emphasizing Duke’s commitment to building an accessible, interactive platform for industry engagement.
“The discussions during the breakout sessions and at the posters were truly energizing. They reinforced how much potential our region has, with strong materials research in both academia and industry, and a shared motivation to translate great science into innovation that tackles real challenges.” Leanne Gilbertson, Co-Director of the Critical Minerals Hub at Duke.
Looking Ahead
The successful November 21 kickoff marks the beginning of a sustained effort to grow the Duke–Industry Materials Connect program—creating a hub where discovery, applied research, and industry needs meet. Duke looks forward to expanding this network and continuing to shape the future of materials innovation across the region.
“This event highlights the tremendous opportunity at the intersection of Duke’s research strengths and the needs of regional companies. By aligning student interest with industry needs, we can open new pathways for innovation and talent development. This inaugural event laid a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration,” said Stefan Zauscher, Co-Director of the Duke Materials Initiative.
If you would like to participate in future sessions or explore partnership opportunities, please reach out to Sharlini Sankaran, Director of External Partnerships. You can also subscribe to our Duke Critical Minerals Hub mailing list by sending an email to criticalminerals@duke.edu and to the Duke Materials Initiative mailing list by sending an email to dmigroup@duke.edu.