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William PutnamView profile

Assistant Professor

• Photonics
• Quantum Information Science
• Nanophotonics
• +4 more

Dr. William Putnam is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on developing novel photonic devices and systems to enable compact, table-top particle accelerators, free-electron lasers (FELs), and chip-scale laboratories for strong-field laser physics. His work integrates nanoscale photonics, quantum optics, and electrostatic particle manipulation to advance applications in medical imaging, industrial processing, and fundamental physics. Research interests include subwavelength-structured waveguides, strong-field optoelectronics, and electrostatic charged-particle guidance. His group pioneers technologies such as heralded electron sources for microscopy and lithography, and attosecond time-domain spectroscopy platforms for ultrafast optical analysis. Recent efforts emphasize phase-matching techniques in silicon photonics and mid-infrared photodetection for compact accelerator development. Labs and teams: The Putnam Research Group at UC Davis collaborates on interdisciplinary projects spanning quantum engineering, nanophotonics, and advanced microscopy. Key projects include the NSF CAREER-funded 'Chip-Scale, Field-Resolved Detection of Mid-Infrared Light' initiative and the 'Integrated Attosecond Time-Domain Spectroscopy' platform.

Matthew PotterView profile

Lecturer

• Sustainable Chemical Technologies
• Heterogeneous Catalysis
• Carbon Capture and Utilisation
• +12 more

Matthew Potter is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath, affiliated with the Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change. His research focuses on sustainable chemical technologies, particularly through the development of porous materials for heterogeneous catalysis, CO2 capture and utilisation, and advanced characterisation techniques like synchrotron-based methods. Research Interests : Designing atomic-scale active sites for catalysis, understanding catalyst degradation, operando characterisation, and integrating computational fluid dynamics into catalytic processes. Projects : Royal Society-funded work on solid acid catalysts, RSC-funded studies on CO2 capture mechanisms, and a UK charity project applying 2D GCxGC for polymer cracking. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably Climate Action. Recent articles highlight methanol dehydration, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and plastic degradation, employing experimental and computational approaches. Collaborations include researchers like Raja, Carravetta, and Beale. Grants : Royal Society Research Fund (2025), RSC Research Fund (2024), and another UK charity grant (2024). Activities : Supervision of external projects like 'Breathing Materials' and participation in academic events such as the Images of Research 2024 Exhibition.

Valentina MiglioratiView profile

Researcher

• Physical Chemistry
• Ion Hydration
• Molecular Dynamics
• +3 more

Valentina Migliorati is a Researcher in the Department of Chemistry at University of Rome La Sapienza, specializing in structural analysis of complex systems through integrated computational-experimental approaches. Her research develops novel methodologies combining Molecular Dynamics simulations with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and diffraction techniques to investigate: 1) Hydration dynamics of metal ions and lanthanides; 2) Solvation properties in organic solvents; 3) Structural organization of pure ionic liquids and water mixtures. She holds habilitation as Associate Professor in General and Inorganic Chemistry and contributes to advancing spectroscopic-computational synergies for disordered system analysis. Current work focuses on force field development and solvation phenomena in ionic systems.

Julius HuijtsView profile

Researcher

• Ultrafast Electron Diffraction
• Laser Plasmas
• Quantum Technology
• +4 more

Julius Huijts is a postdoctoral researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Coherence and Quantum Technology group. His work focuses on developing ultrashort pulses of ultracold electrons for ultrafast electron diffraction on membrane proteins. Supported by prestigious fellowships (Branco Weiss and Marie Skłodowska-Curie), he has contributed to advancing laser-plasma acceleration and coherent diffractive imaging. Previously, he held postdoc positions at LOA (France) and completed his PhD at Université Paris-Saclay (2019). Education Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Applied Physics from TU Delft PhD from Université Paris-Saclay (2019), conducted at CEA (France) and ICFO (Spain) Research Interests Huijts' research spans ultrafast electron diffraction , laser-plasma acceleration , and quantum technology . His current project, CoCoPro , aims to create molecular movies of membrane proteins using ultracold electron pulses. This work bridges applied physics with biophysics, targeting breakthroughs in structural biology. Recent Research Trends His articles highlight advancements in laser wakefield acceleration (e.g., optimizing H₂ plasma performance) and carrier-envelope phase control in relativistic electron dynamics. Collaborative efforts focus on biomedical applications of high-repetition-rate electron beams. Awards & Recognition Branco Weiss Fellowship (2022) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (2022) First prize in Dutch Physical Society writing competition (2021) FELs of Europe Poster Prize (2024) Grants & Projects CoCoPro (2022–2025): High-coherence ultracold electron diffraction for molecular movies Labs & Affiliations Part of TU/e's Coherence and Quantum Technology group, collaborating with institutions like LOA (France) and École Polytechnique. Active in international workshops (e.g., RUEDI Ultrafast Biosciences) and conferences (CLEO 2024).

Liubov AmitonovaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Multimode Fiber Engineering
• Biophotonics
• Optical Imaging
• +3 more

Dr. Liubov Amitonova is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, affiliated with the Physics of Nanolithography department and LaserLaB - Biophotonics. Her research focuses on multimode fiber engineering, biophotonics, and advanced imaging techniques. She teaches courses such as Practicum Natuurkunde voor SBI and contributes to interdisciplinary projects in nanoscale metrology and computational imaging. Education: Not explicitly listed in the provided text. Research Interests: Dr. Amitonova’s work spans multimode fiber applications, label-free imaging, and high-resolution optical systems. She explores innovations in diffractive metasurfaces, wavefront shaping, and super-resolution imaging through experimental and computational methods. Her contributions address challenges in biomedical imaging, nanoscale displacement metrology, and fiber-optic endoscopy for neuroscience. Publications: Recent works include advancements in quantitative phase imaging, nanometer precision displacement metrology, and super-resolution fiber imaging. These studies highlight her focus on translating fundamental optics research into practical biomedical and engineering solutions. Awards: No scientific awards explicitly mentioned. Advising & Grants: Supervised 1 PhD thesis, though specific details are not provided. Active in collaborative research projects, as evidenced by international co-authorships and 49 total publications. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with LaserLaB - Biophotonics, a leading group in microscopy and biophotonics technologies.

Jerrold A. FloroView profile

Professor

• Nanoscale self-assembly
• Magnetic materials
• Rapid solidification
• +5 more

Jerrold A. Floro is a Professor and Associate Chair for Academics in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Virginia. His research focuses on nanoscale self-assembly, pattern formation in inorganic materials, and advanced materials processing techniques such as additive manufacturing and rapid solidification. He earned a B.S. in Physics from Colorado State University (1983), a Ph.D. in Materials Science from MIT (1992), and conducted postdoctoral research at Sandia National Laboratories. His research interests include magnetic materials, thermoelectric systems, and microstructure control in bulk and thin-film materials. Key projects involve developing eco-friendly thermoelectric alloys, exchange-coupled nanochessboard magnets, and additive manufacturing of optical reflectors using Invar-copper composites. He has received the Hartfield-Jefferson Scholars Teaching Prize (2012) and a DOE Materials Science Award (1994). Grants include NSF-funded research on nanochessboard magnetism and laser-driven eutectic microstructure formation. Floro teaches courses on materials investigations and introductory engineering, emphasizing hands-on exploration of crystallography and electronic structure. His lab explores nanomaterials for energy, electronics, and aerospace applications, leveraging expertise in thin film growth, laser processing, and solid-state phase transformations.

Piotr SankowskiView profile

Professor

• Algorithms
• Machine Learning
• Graph Theory
• +5 more

Piotr Sankowski is a Professor at the Institute of Informatics, University of Warsaw, specializing in algorithms and theoretical computer science with applications in economics and machine learning. He is also CEO of MIM Solutions, deploying ML solutions, and heads the IDEAS NCBR center for AI and Digital Economy. His research focuses on algorithm design, computational complexity, and interdisciplinary applications in physics and economics. Education & Affiliations: Professor at University of Warsaw's Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics, and Mechanics (MIM) Head of IDEAS NCBR Center (Artificial Intelligence & Digital Economy) CEO of MIM Solutions (AI/ML consulting) Research Interests: Piotr's work bridges theoretical computer science and practical applications, with key areas: Algorithms for matching problems, graph theory, and optimization Machine learning explainability and feature importance Quantum tunneling phenomena in semiconductor nanostructures (physics) Algorithmic game theory and network design His ERC grants highlight contributions to algorithmic foundations and interdisciplinary research. Grants & Awards: ERC Starting (2010), Proof of Concept (2015), and Consolidator (2017) Grants First Pole to secure three ERC grants Fellow of the Institute of Informatics at University of Warsaw Publications: Over 80 papers spanning CS (algorithms, ML) and physics (solid-state theory). Recent work focuses on online algorithms, dynamic graph problems, and scalable ML systems. Labs & Projects: Leads the IGAFIT initiative promoting algorithms in Europe, and the EXALT project for explainable optimization tools. Active in the IDEAS NCBR center for AI innovation.

Sean M. CaseyView profile

Associate Professor

• Semiconductor Materials
• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
• Surface Chemistry
• +3 more

Sean M. Casey is the Associate Dean of the College of Science at the University of Nevada, Reno, and an Associate Professor of Chemistry. He oversees academic and student programs, including WiSE and NevadaTeach, collaborating with department chairs and leadership to support curriculum and assessment efforts. His research focuses on semiconductor materials growth mechanisms during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), using hyperthermal beams of reactive species to study surface interactions in ultrahigh vacuum environments. Techniques include mass spectrometry, low-energy electron diffraction, and Auger electron spectroscopy. Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry, 1993, University of Minnesota (Advisor: Doreen G. Leopold) B.S. in Chemistry, 1988, State University of New York, College at Purchase Postdoctoral Fellowships: NRC-NIST (1993–1995) and JILA, University of Colorado (1995–1997) Research interests include heteroepitaxial growth of lattice-mismatched materials like Ge/Si and SiC/Si, with a focus on fundamental heterogeneous reactions during material synthesis. His work addresses critical challenges in semiconductor technology, such as improving material integrity and scalability. Publications span over two decades, emphasizing surface chemistry, liquid-crystalline materials, and semiconductor growth mechanisms. Key topics include molecular design for polarizing materials, adsorption dynamics on silicon surfaces, and photoluminescent film development. Though no specific grants or awards are listed, his extensive publication record reflects sustained contributions to materials science and surface chemistry. His laboratory employs advanced spectroscopic techniques to study ion-surface interactions, contributing to the understanding of plasma processes critical for semiconductor manufacturing.

Joshua WilliamsView profile

Associate Professor

• Atomic Physics
• Molecular Physics
• Photoelectron Spectroscopy
• +3 more

Joshua Williams is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Physics Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. His research focuses on atomic and molecular physics, with an emphasis on photoelectron dynamics, interatomic Coulombic decay, and core ionization processes. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Auburn University (2012), following an M.S. (2011) and B.S. (2006) in Physics from Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, respectively. Prior to his faculty role, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main (2012–2015). Dr. Williams' work utilizes advanced experimental techniques such as COLTRIMS (Cold Target Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy) to study ultrafast molecular dynamics. His research spans topics including molecular frame photoelectron angular distributions, electron correlation effects in photoionization, and the interplay between electronic and nuclear motion in dissociating systems. His recent studies investigate core hole localization in molecules like methane and dichloroethylene, as well as chiral asymmetry in formic acid and trifluoromethyloxirane. His publications highlight contributions to understanding interatomic Coulombic decay in molecular dimers, dissociation dynamics of water dications, and electron localization effects in hydrogen and deuterium systems. He collaborates internationally on projects involving X-ray free-electron lasers and ultrafast electron diffraction imaging. Awards and grants are not explicitly listed in the provided text. He advises no named students, though his research involves a collaborative team. His experimental work often centers on imaging molecular structure and dynamics through photoelectron spectroscopy, with applications to fundamental physics and chemical reaction mechanisms.

• Computational Imaging
• X-ray Imaging
• Optical Physics
• +4 more

Manuel Guizar-Sicairos is an Associate Professor of Physics at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPF Lausanne), affiliated with the School of Basic Sciences (SB) and the Institute of Physics (IPHYS). He leads the Computational X-ray Imaging group at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in a joint position with EPF Lausanne since January 2023. His work bridges advanced X-ray imaging techniques and algorithm development for synchrotron sources. Education B.Sc. in Physics Engineering (2002), Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico M.Sc. in Electronic Systems (2005), Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico M.Sc. in Optics (2008), Ph.D. in Optics (2010), Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, NY His research focuses on computational X-ray imaging , particularly phase retrieval, holography, and ptychography. He has pioneered 3D nanoscale imaging techniques like SASTT and magnetization vector tomography, enabling applications in biomedical imaging (synaptic-resolution brain imaging), energy storage (3D operando batteries), and materials science (catalysts, bone structures). Selected publications since 2015 highlight his expertise in ptychography , nanotomography , and scattering techniques , with a recurring emphasis on synchrotron-based imaging and reconstruction algorithms . His work often intersects with materials science and semiconductor analysis . Scientific Awards Innovation Award on Synchrotron Radiation (2014, 2021) ICO Prize (2019) Fellow of The Optical Society (2021) and SPIE (2022) SPIE Senior Member Multiple Optics & Photonics Education Scholarships (2004–2009) As a confidential advisor for the Respect@PSI campaign since 2022, he advocates for diversity and inclusion in research. His group at PSI develops open-source algorithms for X-ray imaging, including quasi-discrete Hankel transforms and subpixel registration tools.

Marc William CaffeeView profile

Professor

• Application of stable- and radio-nuclides in geosciences
• Quaternary landform evolution
• Cosmochronology
• +3 more

Marc William Caffee is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University , where he has worked since 2001. He also serves as Associate Department Head since 2007. Previously, he worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory from 1986 to 2001. Education B.S. in Mathematics (1976), California State College B.S. in Physics (1979), California State College M.S. in Physics (1981), Washington University Ph.D. in Physics (1986), Washington University His research focuses on the application of stable- and radio-nuclides to problems in geosciences, including Quaternary landform evolution, cosmochronology, hydrology, and atmospheric processes. He specializes in developing novel measurement techniques for cosmogenic nuclides like Be-10 and Al-26. Recent publications highlight his work in sediment budgeting, glacial dynamics in the Himalayas, and erosion rate analysis using cosmogenic isotopes. His professional affiliations include the American Geophysical Union, American Physical Society, Meteoritical Society, and Geological Society of America.

• Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• +7 more

Catrin Mair Davies is a Professor in Structural Integrity at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London. She leads the High Temperature Centre and has over 90 publications focused on experimental and computational analysis of material behavior under extreme conditions. Her research emphasizes creep deformation, fatigue, additive manufacturing, and fracture mechanics, with industrial applications in nuclear, aerospace, and energy sectors. Her affiliations include the Additive Manufacturing Network, Mechanics of Materials Division, Robotic Additive Manufacturing Lab, and Structural Integrity Group. She holds an EPSRC Career Acceleration Fellowship (2010–2015) in partnership with EDF Energy and E.ON. Research interests span high-temperature materials, residual stress measurement, and failure analysis in metals like stainless steel, Zircaloy, and Inconel. Key grants include EPSRC funding for structural integrity projects. She collaborates on advanced manufacturing processes and has pioneered methodologies for creep crack growth monitoring and stress analysis. Her work integrates experimental techniques (e.g., digital image correlation, X-ray diffraction) with computational modeling (finite element analysis) to predict material behavior under multiaxial loading and thermal cycling. Her articles (2020–2025) explore topics like additive manufacturing material properties, hydride precipitation in zirconium alloys, and fracture toughness of laser-welded components. The most recent studies address high-temperature deformation mechanisms and stress mitigation in 3D-printed alloys.

• Materials Engineering
• Metallurgy
• Aerospace Materials
• +7 more

David Dye is a Professor of Metallurgy in the Department of Materials at Imperial College London, UK. He leads research on fatigue, micromechanics, and design of aerospace and reactor materials, particularly superalloys, titanium, NiTi, TWIP steels, and zirconium. His work spans alloy design to failure analysis using advanced techniques like TEM, synchrotron diffraction, and XFEL. He collaborates with Rolls-Royce and the nuclear sector to advance safer, lower-emission transport and energy systems. Education: PhD and undergraduate degree from Cambridge University in metallurgy, focusing on nickel-based superalloy weldability. Prior experience includes neutron spectroscopy at Chalk River, Canada. Research interests include: Advanced materials for jet engines and reactors Microstructure-property relationships in high-performance alloys In situ characterization using synchrotron/X-ray facilities Hydrogen embrittlement and stress corrosion mechanisms Awards: EPSRC Leadership Fellowship (2010–2015), Royal Society Industry Fellowship. Over 100 journal articles published. Active in Additive Manufacturing Network, Engineering Alloys, and Robotic Additive Manufacturing Lab. Key contributions include novel alloy development for fusion reactors, fatigue mechanism insights in titanium alloys, and sustainable materials design strategies.

Joachim FrankView profile

Professor

• Cryo-Electron Microscopy
• Structural Biology
• Molecular Machines
• +3 more

Joachim Frank is a Professor at Columbia University in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Biological Sciences. He pioneered single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), enabling 3D structural analysis of biomolecules. His work revolutionized structural biology, particularly in studying ribosomes, hemocyanins, and membrane proteins. Frank joined Columbia in 2008 after a 33-year tenure at the Wadsworth Center, NY State Department of Health. Education: PhD in Physics from Technical University Munich (1970), Postdoctoral fellowships at JPL (Caltech), Berkeley, and Cornell. Key mentors included Walter Hoppe (Munich) and Richard Henderson (Cambridge). Research Interests: Development of cryo-EM techniques, single-particle averaging, 3D reconstruction algorithms, and applications to molecular machines like the ribosome. His lab created SPIDER, a seminal image processing software system. Awards: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2017), HHMI Investigator (1998–2017), Harkness Fellowship (1970), and Humboldt Fellowship (1994). Nobel Prize for developing cryo-EM to image biomolecules in atomic detail. HHMI funding supported groundbreaking projects on ribosome function and structural biology. Advising & Grants: Advised over 20 students/postdocs including Rajendra Agrawal (ribosome biochemist) and Christian Spahn (structural biologist). NIH grants sustained decades of cryo-EM research. HHMI provided critical funding for advanced microscopy infrastructure at Columbia. Labs & Collaborations: Frank Lab at Columbia focuses on cryo-EM applications. Notable collaborations with Jean Lamy (hemocyanin studies), Måns Ehrenberg (ribosome dynamics), and Ruben Gonzalez (single-molecule FRET).

Paul C CanfieldView profile

Professor

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Superconductivity
• Heavy Fermion Systems
• +5 more

Paul C. Canfield is a Distinguished Professor of Physics at Iowa State University and a Senior Physicist at the Ames Laboratory. He holds the Robert Allen Wright Professorship. His research focuses on designing, discovering, and characterizing novel electronic and magnetic materials, with contributions to superconductivity, heavy fermions, quantum criticality, quasicrystals, and spin glasses. Canfield earned his B.S. from the University of Virginia (1983), M.S. and Ph.D. from UCLA (1990), and completed postdoctoral work at Los Alamos National Laboratory (1990-1993). He joined Ames Laboratory in 1993 and has since become a leading figure in experimental condensed matter physics. Research interests include correlated electron systems, borocarbide superconductors, magnesium diboride, quasicrystals, and metallic spin-glass systems. His work emphasizes the interplay between material synthesis and physical property characterization. Canfield has received prestigious awards such as the DOE Lawrence Award (2011), APS David Adler Lectureship (2014), Humboldt Award (2015), and APS McGroddy Prize (2017). His group explores novel quantum materials, including Fe-As superconductors and topological materials, through advanced synthesis and measurement techniques. He co-leads workshops on quantum matter and maintains affiliations with the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Ames Laboratory.