Student Profile: Artem Sulimov

Artem Sulimov became interested in materials science as a teenager, once he realized it combined chemistry, physics, and engineering—his favorite subjects. 

Now Sulimov is pursuing a PhD in chemistry under the mentorship of Jason Locklin, PhD, the co-founder and director of the UGA New Materials Institute (UGA NMI or NMI). Dr. Locklin is a professor in the Department of Chemistry in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, and is jointly appointed to the UGA College of Engineering.

As a member of the Locklin Group, Sulimov has learned to grow research concepts from laboratory experiments to scaled-up, real-world applications that can help manufacturers achieve sustainability goals. 

Sulimov recently talked to us about his experiences in the Locklin Group and how they may impact his future. Below is his full interview. 

How did you become interested in studying materials science? 

I first became interested in materials science after being accepted to a boarding school for talented youth in Moscow when I was 15, where I was deeply engaged with chemistry. As I explored further, I realized materials science combines chemistry, physics and engineering—the subjects I was most curious about. This intersection of disciplines made me excited about understanding and designing new materials.

Provide some details on your specific area of interest. 

I am particularly interested in materials for automotive and aerospace applications, where performance and reliability are critical. I have hands-on experience with high-performance fiber-reinforced plastics, which sparked my appreciation for advanced structural materials. At the same time, with growing concerns about plastic pollution and sustainability challenges, I have become increasingly interested in biodegradable materials. In addition, I see additive manufacturing as a versatile tool that not only enables innovative material design but also has the potential to reshape manufacturing processes in the future. 

Share a rewarding experience related to your work at the UGA NMI. 

One of the most rewarding experiences at the NMI has been working with novel bioplastics and seeing how my first experiments could be scaled up to industrially relevant techniques such as extrusion, injection molding, and 3D printing. It was exciting to bridge the gap between laboratory research and practical applications, and to contribute to developing sustainable materials that could have a real impact. 

How has your experience with the New Materials Institute influenced your academic trajectory or career goals? 

My experience at the New Materials Institute has shown me the value of connecting fundamental research with real-world applications. Being able to study the fundamental properties of novel materials while also tuning them for real-world applications has broadened my perspective and expanded my career possibilities. It has encouraged me to pursue a path where I can continue bridging scientific discovery with impactful solutions. 

Describe a project or research you’ve worked on related to the UGA NMI. 

At the NMI, I have been working on projects that combine different biodegradable plastics with the goal of improving their mechanical performance without compromising their degradability and overall sustainability. This research focuses on developing materials that are both functional and environmentally responsible, addressing the challenges of plastic waste while meeting performance requirements for real-world applications. 

What challenges have you faced in your work and how have you overcome them? 

One of the challenges I faced was improving the properties of biodegradable films. We knew that biaxial stretching could drastically enhance their performance, but studying the parameters of this process required specialized equipment that was not readily available. To overcome this, we relied on CAD design skills and 3D printing to create a custom machine capable of biaxially stretching films in a way that mimics industrial processes. This hands-on approach not only enabled our research but also gave me valuable experience in problem-solving and bridging design with experimental needs. 

How do you see your work at the UGA NMI contributing to global sustainability efforts? 

At the NMI, my work contributes to global sustainability by advancing the understanding of novel plastics while always keeping real-world applications in mind. By ensuring that our materials can be scaled beyond the lab and applied in industry, we help bridge the gap between research and practice—creating solutions that are not only innovative, but also impactful in reducing plastic pollution and supporting a more sustainable future. 

What skills have you gained from working at the UGA NMI that you believe will be the most valuable in your future career? 

Through my work at the NMI, I have gained the ability to think beyond small-scale experiments and aim for processes that can be scaled up to industrial production. I have also learned to work with state-of-the-art tools and techniques, which has strengthened both my technical expertise and my confidence in tackling complex research challenges. These skills will be especially valuable in my future career, where bridging laboratory research with real-world applications will be essential. 

What advice would you give to other students interested in being involved with the UGA NMI? 

My advice would be to stay creative and open-minded — some of the best ideas come from trying unconventional approaches. At the NMI, success is often just around the corner if you’re willing to explore, experiment, and learn from both challenges and opportunities. 

Is there anything you’d like to share with us that we haven’t asked you about? 

I am very grateful for the opportunities the NMI has provided me to learn, grow, and gain experience as a young researcher. This experience has greatly shaped both my skills and my perspective on how research can contribute to meaningful change.