Anastassia Milleret
What is your current job / programme of study?
Final year PhD student in 4D printing of magnetic shape memory alloys.
Which A-Levels (or equivalent) did you do?
I passed the equivalent of A-levels in France, in science specialising in physics.
Why did you choose a career in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)?
As a kid, I was a huge fan of the movie “Flubber” with Robin Williams and I decided that I wanted to do the same job. At that time, when people were asking how I see myself in the future, I was replying “as a mad scientist”. I think I have achieved that goal, but I will let you be the judge of that…
If you did an MSE undergraduate degree what did you enjoy most about the course?
In France, I had the chance to do a lot of practical work during my undergraduate degree. Even though manual polishing classes were not really the most exciting part, it was always a real joy to discover the microstructure under the microscope of the sample we had been preparing for so long. Breaking samples in the tensile tester was also always a fun activity!
What is your research about?
My research is focused on 3D printing of metals, more specifically, on magnetic shape memory alloys. This material is a metal that deforms next to a magnet.
What is the coolest thing you have done in your career so far?
Probably printing all sorts of things. I recently printed a metal ring with a mountain lattice structure.
What do you see yourself doing in the future?
I would love to link my hobby of flying (as a gliding pilot) with my work and my passions for materials science and space. However I haven’t found any job that could possibly combine all of this. Maybe an astronaut?
What is your favourite material (and why)?
I could not say any other material than the one I am working on, Ni-Mn-Ga (nickel, manganese and gallium). Under a magnetic field, this material deforms in less than a millisecond!
What advice would you give your 16 year old self?
To never give up on your dreams and to stop doubting yourself.
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