Rate My Professor Edward Sabolsky

Edward Sabolsky serves as Professor of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University, where he is affiliated with the Materials Science and Engineering Degree Program and leads the Multi-functional and Energy Ceramics Group. He earned a B.S. in Ceramic Science and Engineering, with a minor in Metallurgical Engineering, from The Ohio State University in 1996. Sabolsky obtained his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 2001, focusing his dissertation on ceramic processing and properties of high strain piezoelectric ceramics. Prior to his academic career at WVU, where he joined as Assistant Professor in August 2008 and later advanced to full Professor, Sabolsky worked as Senior Research Scientist in the Fine Ceramics and Igniter R&D Group at Saint-Gobain High-Performance R&D Center in 2007. Earlier, at NexTech Materials, Ltd., he served as Fuel Cell Group Leader from 2006 and Research Scientist from 2001 to 2006, specializing in ceramic powder synthesis, forming, thermal processing of piezoelectric/dielectric materials, sensors, catalysts, and solid-oxide fuel cell materials.

Sabolsky's research specializes in advanced ceramic processing and materials for energy-related applications, including development of piezoelectric/dielectric materials, chemical sensors, reforming catalysts, battery materials, supercapacitors, solid-oxide and direct-carbon fuel cells, and ceramic separation membranes. His projects involve synthesis of complex oxide ceramic powders and nano-powders, fabrication of novel ceramic monolithic structures from macro- to micro-levels, manipulation of grain structure and orientation, and electrochemical testing to improve performance. Key research areas encompass fuel cells, smart sensors, flexible tactile sensors for robotic applications, smart embedded sensors for high-temperature energy systems, RF-based passive wireless sensors, actuators, microwave processing and ultrafast sintering of ceramics, harsh environment sensors, critical material separation, chemical sensors, and lithium-ion batteries. He has authored more than 45 peer-reviewed papers in technical literature and holds two patents. Representative publications include "Near-Field Passive Wireless Sensor for High-Temperature Metal Corrosion Monitoring" (Sensors, 2024), "Investigating the Effect of Microwave Pretreatment on Bastnasite Grinding for Comminution Energy Reduction and Rare Earth Recovery" (Processes, 2024), "Wireless Passive Ceramic Sensor for Far-Field Temperature Measurement at High Temperatures" (Sensors, 2024), "All-Ceramic Passive Wireless Temperature Sensor Realized by Tin-Doped Indium Oxide (ITO) Electrodes for Harsh Environment Applications" (Sensors, 2022), and "Engineered Hierarchical Porous Carbons for Supercapacitor Applications through Chemical Pretreatment and Activation of Biomass Precursors" (Renewable Energy, 2021). Sabolsky contributes as a reviewer for the Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Journal of Materials Science, Materials Letters, Journal of Electroceramics, Applied Physics Letters, and IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control. His accolades include the ORISE Faculty Research Fellowship (2015-present), WVU Statler College Outstanding Teacher Award (2018), WVU Faculty Award for Distinction in Mentoring Undergraduates in Research (2018), WVU Statler College Outstanding Researcher of the Year (2013-2014), George W. Weaver Award for Outstanding Teaching in Undergraduate Mechanics Courses (2010-2011, 2012-2013), and ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Award (2010).