Brian A. Korgel

Brian A. Korgel is a Professor and holds the Rashid Engineering Regents Chair at the University of Texas at Austin's Department of Chemical Engineering within the Cockrell School of Engineering. He serves as Director of the Energy Institute and The Center for a Solar Powered Future (spf2050), an NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center. Previously, he directed Phases I & II of the NSF IUCRC for Next Generation Photovoltaics (2011-2021) and the Doctoral Portfolio Program in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at UT Austin.

His educational background includes a B.S. (1991) and Ph.D. (1997) from UCLA, followed by post-doctoral work at University College Dublin (1997-1998).

Research Interests:

• Nanotechnology with focus on size-tunable material properties
• Synthesis of nanostructured materials
• Fabrication of nanoscale devices
• Applications in microelectronics, photonics, spintronics, coatings, sensors and biotechnology
• Supercritical fluid processing of nanomaterials
• Nanowires and nanocrystals for energy applications

His recent publications demonstrate significant activity in metal halide perovskite nanocrystals, silicon nanocrystal functionalization, and photovoltaic applications. The research spans fundamental nanomaterial synthesis to practical device applications, with particular emphasis on energy conversion and storage technologies. His group has produced over 30 PhD graduates who now hold positions in academia and industry worldwide.

Scientific Awards:

• National Academy of Engineering (NAE), 2018
• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow, 2012
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Professional Progress Award, 2012
• Billy and Claude R. Hocott Distinguished Centennial Engineering Research Award, 2025
• Outstanding Achievement in Nanoscience (ACS Division of Colloid & Surface Chemistry), 2020

Professor Korgel actively advises numerous graduate students and has served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Crystal Growth and Materials Science and Engineering: R. His research has been supported by significant grants including the NSF CAREER Award and DuPont Young Professor Award. His group maintains active collaborations with national laboratories and international institutions, including serving as Distinguished Visiting Professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The Korgel Research Group operates within the Nanotechnology Research Center at UT Austin, focusing on experimental investigations of size-tunable material properties and the rational self-assembly of nanostructures with atomic detail. The group maintains strong industry partnerships through the NSF IUCRC for Next Generation Photovoltaics.