Debora Keller

Debora Keller is a scientific staff member at Empa's Electron Microscopy Center (EMC), where she has worked since 2020. Her research focuses on atomic-scale processes in nanoparticle synthesis, particularly in situ liquid phase microscopy of ionic liquids and their interactions with nanoparticles. She received her PhD (Dr. Sc. ETH) in Material Science from ETH Zurich in 2016, following studies in material science at ETH Zurich (B.Sc., M.Sc., 2006-2012). Her career includes postdoctoral research at EMC from 2016 to 2020 under the CLUSTER project.

• Education:
  • B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Material Science, ETH Zurich (2006-2012)
  • PhD (Dr. Sc. ETH) in Material Science, ETH Zurich (2012-2016)
• Research Interests:
  • In situ liquid phase microscopy for real-time observation of nanoparticle dynamics
  • Interaction mechanisms of ionic liquids with nanomaterials
  • Atomic-scale particle nucleation and growth processes
  • Valence electron energy loss spectroscopy (VEELS) for material characterization
  • Advanced analysis of chalcopyrite thin film solar cells
• Professional Career:
  • 2020 - Present: Scientific staff member, Electron Microscopy Center (EMC), Empa
  • 2016 - 2020: Postdoctoral researcher, EMC, Empa (CLUSTER project)
  • 2012 - 2016: PhD researcher at Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics (PVTF), EMC, and D-ITET, ETH Zurich
• Labs and Projects:
  • Electronic Microscopy Center (EMC), Empa
  • CLUSTER project (2016-2020): Atomic-scale particle formation in liquid-phase environments