Robin Ras

Robin Ras is a Professor and Head of Department at the Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University, where he leads the Soft Matter and Wetting research group. His work focuses on surface science, particularly superhydrophobic and superoleophobic materials, with applications spanning renewable energy, biomedical engineering, and agricultural science.

Ras earned his Master's degree in Engineering and Technology from Catholic University of Leuven in 1999, followed by a Doctoral degree from the same institution in 2003. His academic journey has positioned him as a leading researcher in wetting phenomena and nanoscale surface engineering.

His research interests center on understanding and manipulating liquid-solid interactions at micro and nanoscales. Ras's work explores how surface topography and chemistry affect wetting behavior, with particular focus on superhydrophobic surfaces, droplet dynamics, and liquid-repellent materials. His group develops innovative approaches for creating surfaces with controlled wettability for applications ranging from self-cleaning materials to advanced biomedical devices.

The research trends evident in Ras's recent publications show a strong focus on precision control of liquid-solid interfaces, with increasing attention to underwater applications, molecular-scale surface engineering, and biomimetic approaches. His work bridges fundamental surface science with practical applications in energy, healthcare, and sustainability.

Among his notable scientific achievements:

• Anton Paar Research Award for Instrumental Analytics & Characterization (2018) for Scanning Droplet Adhesion Microscopy invention
• Academy of Finland Research Fellow (2011-2016)
• ERC Consolidator Grant (2017)

Ras has secured significant research funding including the ERC Consolidator Grant for the SuperRepel project (2017-2022) focused on superslippery liquid-repellent surfaces, and the Academy of Finland project 'Electric Field; an Active Method to Control Phase Change' (2019-2022). His research group actively collaborates with international institutions and industry partners to translate fundamental discoveries into practical applications.

The Soft Matter and Wetting research group under Ras's leadership combines experimental and theoretical approaches to investigate surface phenomena. The team utilizes advanced imaging techniques, precision surface fabrication methods, and computational modeling to understand and engineer surfaces with tailored wetting properties. Their work has applications across multiple sectors including renewable energy, biomedical devices, and sustainable agriculture.