Neil Champness is the Norman Haworth Professor of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham. He holds a prestigious academic position following roles at the University of Nottingham, including Professor of Chemical Nanoscience (2004-2020). His research focuses on supramolecular chemistry, crystal engineering, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Champness leads a group pioneering studies on molecular self-assembly, surface chemistry, and functional materials. Education & Career - Began academic career with Teaching Fellowships at the University of Nottingham (1995) and Southampton (1994). - Became Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry at Nottingham (1998), progressing to Reader (2003) and full Professor (2004). - Currently heads the Champness Group at Birmingham, established in 2021. Research Interests Champness’s work spans: - Design of porous materials (MOFs, HOFs) for gas storage and catalysis. - Surface self-assembly of 2D supramolecular frameworks. - Photoresponsive materials and molecular rotaxanes. - Chemical synthesis under constrained conditions. His group emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, linking chemistry with materials science and nanotechnology. Awards & Recognition 2019: Elected Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences 2020: EPSRC Established Career Fellowship 2016: Royal Society of Chemistry Surfaces & Interfaces Award 2011: Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher 2006: Corday-Morgan Medal (Royal Society of Chemistry) Advisory Roles & Grants - Editorial roles include Chem, Crystals, and CrystEngComm. - Served on Royal Society panels, Irish Research Council, and IUPAC. - Secured major grants from EPSRC and Royal Society. Labs & Collaborations His Birmingham group collaborates globally, with visiting professorships in Japan, Australia, and Brazil. Research is supported by advanced facilities in crystallography and surface chemistry.
Elisa Riedo is a tenured Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at New York University (NYU) Tandon School of Engineering, with joint appointments as Professor of Physics in NYU’s College of Arts and Science and as affiliated Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Tandon. She serves as Director of Faculty Development at NYU Tandon and has held prior tenured positions at Georgia Tech (2003–2015) and CUNY ASRC (2015–2018). Her academic career spans over two decades, with a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Milano (2000) and postdoctoral work at EPFL. Her research focuses on nanotechnology , graphene and 2D materials , and thermal scanning probe lithography (tSPL) , with applications in biomedical diagnostics quantum electronics electromagnetic interference shielding mechanical reinforcement of materials She pioneered tSPL for sustainable nanofabrication and discovered diamene—a single-layer diamond structure from graphene under pressure. Her recent work involves transparent infrared electrodes using silver nanowires (2025) and self-organized graphene stacking domains for quantum technologies (2024). She has secured major grants from National Science Foundation , Department of Defense , and Army Research Office . Scientific honors include: 2023 NYU Tandon Excellence in Research Award 2013 American Physical Society Fellow 2005 CREA Innovation Award Membership in the Academy of Europe (2023) She contributes to editorial boards for journals like 2D Materials and Applications and advises companies such as Mirimus Inc. and SwissLitho AG .
Dr. Monika Neuffer is a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Chemistry Education, University of Vienna. She holds a BSc and MSc in Chemistry from the University of Vienna and earned her Dr. rer. nat. (natural sciences doctorate) in 2021. Her research focuses on molecularly imprinted polymers, chemical sensors, and nanotechnology applications in environmental monitoring and material science. Education: Bachelor's in Chemistry (2011–2015) Master's in Chemistry (2015–2018) PhD in Natural Sciences (2018–2021) Research Interests: Monika specializes in developing polymer-based sensors for detecting nanoparticles and environmental contaminants. Her work emphasizes systematic approaches to molecular imprinting, surface characterization, and real-time monitoring systems. She leads the chemistry didactics research laboratory, integrating educational innovation with cutting-edge analytical techniques. Professional Background: Senior Scientist, Institute for Chemistry Education (2025–present) QC Specialist at DSM-Firmenich (2021–2025) Research Associate/Doctoral Student at Institute of Physical Chemistry (2018–2021) Lecturer/Tutor in Analytical Chemistry and Practical Courses (2015–2021) Labs & Teams: Head of the chemistry didactics research laboratory, focusing on curriculum development and hands-on experimental methods for teaching chemistry. Collaborates on projects like the Children's University curriculum.
Rudolf Petra is a distinguished Professor and Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen. She holds a Laurea in Physics from Università di Roma 'La Sapienza' (1987) and a PhD in Physics from Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix de Namur (1995). As Dean of Graduate Studies (2020–present) and former Director of the Groningen Graduate School of Science (2014–2018), she has significantly enhanced academic programs, boosting applications by 28% and achieving top national rankings for 7 programs. Her research focuses on materials science, surface science, and molecular rotors/switches, with over 8,820 citations and an h-index of 49. She has received prestigious awards including membership in the German National Academy of Science and Engineering and the DESCARTES Prize. Leadership Roles : Managed the Zernike Institute for nine years, elevating its THE materials science ranking to 4th globally and 1st in Europe. Education : Supervised 19 Bachelor's, 34 Master's, and 27 PhD students, notably fostering female representation in STEM. Research Impact : Her work spans 2D materials (e.g., germanane synthesis), molecular electronics, and superconductivity. Notable contributions include nonvolatile memory devices using molecular tunneling junctions and defect analysis in MoS₂. Awards : Elected to multiple academies, including the European Physical Society presidency. Collaborations : Visiting professorships at São Paulo, Santiago, Cagliari, and Modena universities. Labs/Teams : Leads experimental solid-state physics research at Zernike Institute, focusing on advanced materials characterization and device applications.
Johan Hofkens is a full Professor at KU Leuven since 2008, with a career spanning over 25 years in advanced spectroscopy and microscopy development. His work bridges chemistry, materials science, and nanobioscience, focusing on optical spectroscopy techniques and superresolution microscopy applications. Current research integrates fluorescence/SEM microscopy (integrated microscopies) Specializes in single molecule detection (SMS) and perovskite synthesis Applies NASCA microscopy and RESOLFT techniques for nanoscale imaging His publications (>400) and high citation counts (H-index 69) reflect significant contributions to molecular (bio)materials and metal cluster spectroscopy. Awards include: ERC Advanced Grant (2012) Proteomass Scientific Society Award (2016) European Academy of Science membership Prof. Hofkens collaborates internationally through guest professorships at University of Parma and Hokkaido University, and has pioneered innovations in single molecule detection techniques.
Monica Morales-Masis is Associate Professor at the University of Twente, Netherlands, leading the M3 Lab within the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology. She joined the university in 2018 after serving as team leader of the transparent conductive oxide group at EPFL's Photovoltaics Laboratory from 2013-2018, following her 2012 Physics PhD from Leiden University. Her research pioneers novel thin-film materials with tailored optoelectronic properties, focusing on three interconnected domains: vapor-deposited halide perovskites for solar cells using solvent-free pulsed laser techniques, transparent conducting oxides that overcome the transparency-conductivity trade-off, and p-type transparent conductor discovery to address the critical scarcity of hole-conducting transparent materials. This work directly enables next-generation solar cells, LEDs, and transparent electronics. Recent publications (2020-2023) reveal strong thematic continuity in perovskite deposition science, TCO microstructure-property relationships, and sulfur-doped copper iodide systems. Key trends include solvent-free processing advancements, damage mitigation during electrode deposition, and valence band engineering for p-type materials—collectively advancing efficiency and stability in optoelectronic devices. Her scientific recognition includes: ERC Starting Grant (2019) for CREATE project NWO Start-Up Grant (2019) for BRIDGE project She actively mentors five PhD candidates and two master students while securing diverse funding including ERC, NWO, SOLAR ERA NET, and CETPartnership grants. Her leadership extends to the Young Academy of Europe and extensive outreach promoting STEM diversity in Latin America, including TEDx presentations and student mentorship initiatives. The M3 Lab operates at the materials-device interface within UT's Inorganic Materials Science group, maintaining strong industry ties (e.g., Coherent Inc. collaborations) and international partnerships. Current projects emphasize scalable manufacturing techniques and novel material compositions to bridge fundamental science with commercial photovoltaic applications.
Ivan Bozovic is a Professor at Belgrade University, Serbia, and an Adjunct Professor at Yale University, USA. He has been a Senior Scientist and Group Leader at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) since 2003. His academic career spans multiple institutions, including Varian Research Center, Oxxel GmbH, and Stanford University. PhD in Solid State Physics from Belgrade University (1975) Docent (1978) and Physics Department Head at Belgrade University (1979–1985) Bozovic's research focuses on condensed matter physics, interface superconductivity, and atomic-scale thin film synthesis. He pioneered ALL-MBE techniques and advanced the understanding of high-temperature superconductors and mesoscopic phenomena. His scientific accolades include the Max Planck Medal (2013), Bernd Matthias Prize (2012), and fellowships from the American Physical Society and SPIE. He has published over 240 papers, 17 in Science and Nature , and holds six patents. Refereed for leading journals like Science and Nature Chair of 20 international conferences Over 250 invited/keynote talks globally As MBE Group Leader at BNL, he oversees cutting-edge research in molecular beam epitaxy and superconductor characterization.
Dr. Leoni Breth is a Researcher at the University for Continuing Education Krems, affiliated with the Department of Integrated Sensor Systems and the Center for Modelling and Simulation. She holds a PhD in Technical Physics from the Vienna University of Technology, specializing in Condensed Matter Physics and micromagnetic sensor research. Her work integrates theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and AI-driven approaches to advance materials science. Education: PhD in Technical Physics, Vienna University of Technology (focus: magnetoresistive sensors and thermal fluctuations) Undergraduate Studies in Technical Physics at Vienna University of Technology Research Interests: Dr. Breth's research focuses on micromagnetic simulations, magnetoresistive sensors, and the application of machine learning to analyze First-Order-Reversal Curves (FORCs) in materials science. Her work bridges fundamental physics and industrial applications, particularly in optimizing magnetic materials for advanced technologies like permanent magnets and cemented carbides. Key areas include coercivity enhancement, domain nucleation dynamics, and AI-based predictive modeling. Projects & Grants: FFG-funded project (2020-2023): AI-driven FORC analysis in carbide production FWF-funded project (2023-2026): Combinatorial synthesis and micromagnetic graph networks for magnet design Key Contributions: Her publications span topics like FORC diagram interpretation, skyrmion modeling in bulk materials, and machine learning for mechanical property prediction. She has also contributed to international conferences, including presentations at IEEE Magnetics Society events and the Joint European Magnetics Symposia.
Bernhard Gollas is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials at Graz University of Technology since 2009. He studied chemistry at the University of Tübingen and the University of Oregon, earning his PhD in molecular electrochemistry in 1996. After postdoctoral work at the University of Southampton, he joined TU Graz in 2001 as Assistant Professor and later held leadership roles at the Centre for Electrochemical Surface Technology (2001-2014). His research spans electrochemistry, electrodeposition mechanisms, and functional coatings with applications in energy storage and industrial electroplating. Research Interests include: Electrochemistry of solid/liquid interfaces Electrodeposition from deep eutectic solvents Spectroelectrochemical reaction mechanisms Electrochemical quartz-crystal microbalance (EQCM) Functional coatings for corrosion resistance Post-lithium battery materials (Mg, Zn, Al) Publication Trends show focus on electrochemical energy storage (zinc-air, aluminum, magnesium batteries), green solvents, and advanced surface characterization techniques like PM-IRRAS and AFM-SECM. His work addresses dendritic growth suppression, hydrogen evolution mitigation, and industrial electroplating innovations. Research Group includes 20+ members and alumni working on electrochemical methods, coating technologies, and energy storage systems. Collaborative projects like ECOCAPS , IP-URFC , and Uniform highlight his interdisciplinary approach. Contact : Phone: +43 316 873-32338 Email: bernhard.gollas@tugraz.at Room: CE.02.030 Institute: Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz
Federico Rosei is Professor and Director of the Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications (Centre EMT) at Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) in Varennes, Canada. He holds the UNESCO Chair in Materials and Technologies for Energy Conversion, Saving and Storage and has been a Canada Research Chair (senior) since 2016. Previously, he served as Director of Centre EMT from 2011 to 2019 and held junior and senior Canada Research Chairs since 2003. His educational background includes a Laurea degree (1996) and PhD (2001) from University of Rome I, followed by postdoctoral work as a Marie Curie Fellow at the University of Aarhus, Denmark (2000-2002). He also held visiting positions including Gledden Fellow and Professor at Large at the University of Western Australia (2008-2012). Professor Rosei's research spans multiple cutting-edge areas in materials science and nanotechnology, with particular focus on quantum phenomena at the nanoscale. His work bridges fundamental surface science with practical applications in renewable energy technologies. He has made significant contributions to understanding and developing multiferroic materials, quantum dots for energy applications, and novel nanofabrication techniques. His research integrates experimental surface science with theoretical modeling to create advanced materials for optoelectronic and photonic devices. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on energy conversion technologies, particularly solar energy applications. His work consistently bridges fundamental nanoscale phenomena with practical device applications, showing evolution from basic surface science toward increasingly complex functional materials systems. The publications demonstrate expertise across multiple disciplines including materials chemistry, condensed matter physics, and electrical engineering, with a growing emphasis on sustainable energy solutions in recent years. Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Fellow of the European Academy of Science Fellow of the American Physical Society Fellow of the Optical Society of America NSERC EWR Steacie Memorial Fellowship Rutherford Memorial Medal, Royal Society of Canada Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Award from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Khwarizmi International Award from Government of Iran Outstanding Engineer Award from IEEE Canada Professor Rosei has supervised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, though specific names aren't listed in the provided text. His research has been supported by significant grants including multiple Canada Research Chairs (junior and senior), the UNESCO Chair, and various international collaborations. He has co-organized 96 symposia/workshops/conferences across 21 countries, demonstrating extensive international engagement. His editorial roles include Associate Editor of Journal of Materials Chemistry C and advisory board membership for six international journals. As Director of the Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications at INRS, Professor Rosei leads a multidisciplinary research team focused on developing next-generation materials for energy applications. His laboratory combines advanced characterization techniques with nanofabrication capabilities to investigate quantum phenomena in novel materials systems. The research environment fosters collaboration between chemists, physicists, and engineers working on cutting-edge problems in sustainable energy technologies.
Sergei Kalinin is the Weston Fulton Professor at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and holds a Corporate Fellow position at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). His academic affiliations include adjunct professorships at Sung Kyun Kwan University (South Korea) and Penn State University. He earned his M.S. summa cum laude from Moscow State University (1998) and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (2002), both in Materials Science. Kalinin's research focuses on transformative applications of machine learning and AI in materials science, particularly in: Atom-by-atom fabrication using electron beams Big data analytics in scanning probe/transmission electron microscopy Nanoscale electromechanical phenomena in functional oxides Development of novel microscopy techniques and autonomous experimentation frameworks His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on AI-driven microscopy, autonomous labs, and computational materials design. Over 85% of his last 15 articles involve machine learning applications in experimental physics, with emerging focus on human-AI collaboration and real-time instrumentation control. Major scientific honors include: Blavatnik National Award (2018) Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology (2022) Presidential Early Career Award (2009) 4 R&D100 Awards (2008-2023) Fellowships in APS, MRS, IEEE, AVS He directs the ORNL Institute for Functional Imaging of Materials and leads research on autonomous experimentation systems integrating high-performance computing with microscopy platforms.
Sara Bals is a Full Professor in the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Science, University of Antwerp, Belgium. She has held this position since 2018, following her progression from Assistant Professor (2007-2012), Associate Professor (2012-2014), to Professor (2014-2018). She serves as the head of EMAT (Electron Microscopy for Materials Science), which comprises 7 principal investigators, about 25 postdoctoral researchers, and more than 30 PhD students. Additionally, she coordinates the "Nanolab" Centre of Excellence, composed of 6 research groups. Dr. Bals earned her Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Antwerp (1995-1997) with Great Distinction, followed by a Master's degree (1997-1999) with Greatest Distinction. She completed her PhD in Physics at the same institution (1999-2003) with Greatest Distinction and special honors, focusing on superconducting thin films and tapes under Professor Gustaaf Van Tendeloo. From 2003-2004, she conducted postdoctoral research at the National Center for Electron Microscopy in Berkeley, USA, working with Professor Christian Kisielowski on electron tomography for materials science. Sara Bals is an internationally recognized expert in electron tomography and advanced electron microscopy techniques for nanomaterials characterization. Her research focuses on developing and applying electron tomography to study functional nanomaterials at the atomic scale. By combining state-of-the-art electron microscopy with advanced 3D reconstruction algorithms, her group measures the positions and chemical nature of individual atoms in nanomaterials. A significant advancement in her work involves performing these measurements under realistic conditions, including heating, liquid, or gas flow experiments to investigate nanomaterials under working conditions. Her research spans multiple areas including chiral nanomaterials, in situ 3D characterization of nano materials, atomic resolution electron tomography, quantitative electron tomography, and the study of nanoparticles and ultra-small clusters using aberration-corrected (S)TEM. Her publication record demonstrates a strong focus on advancing electron microscopy techniques and applying them to cutting-edge nanomaterials research. The most recent publications show increasing emphasis on chiral nanostructures, perovskite materials, in-situ characterization techniques, and advanced computational methods for image reconstruction. Her work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications in energy conversion, catalysis, and optoelectronics. Dr. Bals has received numerous prestigious awards and honors for her contributions to science: 2021: ACS Nano Lectureship Award 2020: Elected member of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts (Natural Sciences) 2020: European Microscopy Society Award 2018-2024: ERC Consolidator Grant (PE5 - Synthetic Chemistry and Materials) 2017-2020: Francqui Research Professor 2016: Laureate of the Academy for Natural Sciences awarded by the Royal Flemish Academy 2015: Finalist of the Science Talent of 2015 competition 2013-2018: ERC Starting Grant (PE4 - Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences) As principal investigator, Dr. Bals has secured significant research funding, including two European Research Council grants (Starting and Consolidator). She serves as promotor for numerous European and national projects. Her mentorship has guided the research of many PhD students and postdoctoral researchers within EMAT. Her group's expertise in nanoscale characterization is essential for investigating beam-sensitive materials like perovskites under working conditions. Dr. Bals leads the EMAT research group, a world-renowned center for electron microscopy of materials. The group specializes in advanced electron microscopy techniques, particularly electron tomography for 3D characterization of nanomaterials. As coordinator of the "Nanolab" Centre of Excellence, she oversees a collaborative effort involving 6 research groups focused on nanoscience and nanotechnology research.
Krzysztof Kurzydlowski is a Professor at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, where he has been employed since 1981. He currently serves as Director of the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) in Poland. His academic career includes roles such as Vice-Rector of Warsaw University of Technology (1993–1999), Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (1999–2002), and Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Education and Science (2005–2007). He holds honorary doctorates from Technical University of Rzeszów, Silesian University of Technology, and Wrocław University of Technology. Education: M.Sc. in Technical Physics and Applied Mathematics (Warsaw University of Technology, 1978); Ph.D. in Materials Science (1981); D.Sc. in Metallurgy and Materials Science (Silesian University of Technology, 1990). He became a full professor in 1995. Research interests focus on solid-state physics, electron microscopy, stereology, materials structure analysis, nanomaterials characterization, and degradation mechanisms. He has authored over 400 scientific papers, 7 books, and 6 patents, and supervised over 50 PhD students. Notable awards include Fellowships from the Institute of Materials and European Materials Research Society, and multiple state medals. Industrial contributions include founding a University Business Incubator and a spin-off company, along with consulting roles in the chemical and aerospace industries. His publications emphasize nanocrystalline material behavior, intermetallic diffusion, and biomedical applications of materials. Recent work addresses titanium alloy ductility, silicon vacancy dynamics, and porous scaffold design for orthopedic use.
Emil List-Kratochvil is a Senior Lecturer affiliated with both Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin . His work is based in the Institute of Solid State Physics and Institute of Chemistry , focusing on organic electronics and advanced materials. Research Areas: Solid state physics, optoelectronic materials, conjugated polymers, and nanocomposite synthesis. Email: emil.list-kratochvil@hu-berlin.de Research Interests span organic (opto)electronics, electroactive materials, and plasma-based synthesis techniques. His projects include EUROLED for organic light-emitting diodes and LUPO for solid-state laser technologies. Scientific Awards & Grants include funding from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and leadership in CD-Laboratories for functional materials and fuel cell systems.
Nina Schalk is an Associate Professor at the Chair of Functional Materials and Materials Systems, Montanuniversität Leoben. Her research focuses on advanced coating technologies, including microstructure-property relationships in CVD/PVD coatings, thermal stability, oxidation resistance, and atom probe tomography techniques. She investigates nanolamellar architectures and multilayer systems for enhanced mechanical performance.
