Brian Korgel

Brian Korgel is a Professor and Rashid Engineering Regents Chair in the Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on nanotechnology, particularly the synthesis of nanostructured materials and their applications in electronics, photonics, biotechnology, and energy systems. He leads the Korgel Research Group, which explores nanomaterials for next-generation photovoltaics, battery technologies, and biomedical devices.

Education: PhD (1997), UCLA; Postdoctoral Fellowship (1997–1998), University College Dublin; B.S. (1991), UCLA.

Research interests include colloidal nanocrystal synthesis, supercritical fluid processing, and functional nanomaterials for energy storage (e.g., lithium-ion batteries) and solar cells. His work bridges chemical engineering and materials science, emphasizing scalable manufacturing methods for nanomaterials.

Recent projects highlight innovations in silicon nanocrystals for bioimaging, copper indium selenide (CIS) nanocrystal solar cells, and optothermal manipulation of nanoparticles. His lab also develops high-performance thermoelectric materials and low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Awards include AAAS Fellow (2012) and the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award (2009). He directs the Center for a Solar Powered Future, an NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center advancing photovoltaic technologies. Industrial collaborations include co-founding Piñon Technologies and Innovalight.

Key grants and leadership roles include editing for Chemistry of Materials and serving on the Texas Nanotechnology Scientific Review Board.