Igor Bargatin

Igor Bargatin is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science. His research focuses on micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) for energy conversion, optics, and smart materials. He develops innovative devices such as thermionic energy converters and photophoretic flyers, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches across mechanical engineering, materials science, and applied physics.

Research Interests:

• Photophoretic propulsion and near-space flight systems
• Ultralight robust materials (e.g., nanocardboard)
• Thermionic energy conversion and surface engineering
• MEMS/NEMS fabrication and microscale devices

Key Contributions:

• Developed lightweight photophoretic flyers capable of carrying payloads in the mesosphere
• Pioneered tunable work function surfaces for high-efficiency thermionic converters
• Advanced mechanical metamaterials with unprecedented strength-to-weight ratios

Awards & Grants:

• NSF CAREER Award (2019) for thermal transport research in metamaterials

Labs & Affiliations:

• Center for Environmental Building & Design (collaborator)
• University of Pennsylvania Nanofabrication Facility