Anja Olafsen Sjåstad

Anja Olafsen Sjåstad is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Her research focuses on inorganic materials chemistry with particular emphasis on catalysis, nanomaterials, and energy applications. She is an active member of the Nanostructures and Functional Materials (NAFUMA) research group and contributes to initiatives like HYDROGENi - the Norwegian centre for hydrogen and ammonia research and innovation. Her work bridges fundamental materials science with industrial applications, particularly in catalytic processes involving platinum-group metals.

• Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo
• Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• Nanostructures and Functional Materials (NAFUMA) research group
• HYDROGENi - Norwegian centre for hydrogen research
• 2D high-entropy materials for energy conversion (HEMEC) project

Professor Sjåstad's research interests center on inorganic materials chemistry with a strong focus on catalysis, particularly platinum-rhodium systems for ammonia oxidation processes. Her work spans nanomaterials synthesis and characterization, computational materials science including DFT and ab initio studies, energy materials for hydrogen applications, and oxide chemistry. She investigates surface phenomena, interface engineering, and the electronic structure of materials to develop more efficient catalysts and energy conversion systems. Her research combines experimental techniques like XPS, TEM, and STM with computational approaches to understand materials at the atomic level.

Analysis of Professor Sjåstad's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on platinum-group metal catalysts, particularly for ammonia oxidation applications. Her work shows increasing integration of machine learning with experimental validation for materials discovery, as seen in her 2025 magnetocaloric materials paper. There's a strong emphasis on understanding surface phenomena and interface behavior through advanced characterization techniques like in situ TEM and XPS. Her research portfolio spans fundamental computational studies of electronic structure to applied work on catalyst design and recovery systems, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to materials science that connects atomic-scale understanding with industrial applications.

Professor Sjåstad actively leads and participates in significant research projects including HEMEC (2D high-entropy materials for energy conversion) and HYDROGENi (Norwegian centre for hydrogen and ammonia research). Her work addresses critical challenges in sustainable energy technologies, particularly in catalyst development for hydrogen production and ammonia processes. While specific grant details aren't provided in the source material, her extensive publication record in high-impact journals demonstrates successful research funding and project execution.

Professor Sjåstad is affiliated with the Nanostructures and Functional Materials (NAFUMA) research group at the University of Oslo, which focuses on advanced materials synthesis, characterization, and application. Her work connects with the HYDROGENi centre's mission to advance hydrogen and ammonia technologies. The research environment she participates in combines experimental facilities for materials synthesis and characterization with computational resources for modeling and simulation, supporting a comprehensive approach to materials science research.