About
Adam Foster is a Professor at the Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, specializing in surface and interface physics at the nanoscale. His research focuses on atomistic and quantum mechanical simulations, particularly using first-principles methods and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). He holds external positions as Visiting Professor at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (2017–2019) and Research Professor at Kanazawa University (2015–2027).
Key research areas include nanoscale friction, nanomanipulation, nanocatalysis, and molecular electronics, with a strong emphasis on collaboration with experimentalists. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and responsible consumption. Foster leads several projects, such as Autoatomic (2022–2026), focusing on SPM integration with AI, and FinnCERES (2022), advancing sustainable materials.
Notable achievements include the Väisälä Prize (2009) and over 222 publications. His recent work explores molecular chirality, antiferromagnetic materials, and surface hydration structures. Foster actively participates in conferences, workshops, and media outreach, highlighting breakthroughs in molecular control and liquid-repellent surfaces.
