Karthik Chinnathambi

Karthik Chinnathambi is a Senior Research Engineer and director of the x-ray and electron microscopy facility (XEML) under the Boise State Center for Materials Characterization (BSCMC) at Boise State University's Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering. He manages his own research program while mentoring students and engaging with interdisciplinary research across campus and in the technical community.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. in Materials Science from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
• Postdoctoral fellowship at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York
• Joined Boise State University in 2010

Karthik Chinnathambi's research spans multiple areas within materials science, with particular expertise in electron microscopy, dielectric materials, thermoelectrics, and nuclear graphite characterization. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and sustainable materials. He has developed expertise in transmission electron microscopy, thin film analysis, and characterization of advanced materials for energy applications including battery materials, thermoelectrics, and 2D materials like MXenes and MoS₂. His research often involves understanding microstructural changes in materials under various conditions including irradiation and thermal treatment.

His recent publications demonstrate strong activity in sodium-ion battery cathode materials, MXene-based energy storage, and the behavior of nuclear graphite under different conditions. He has established himself as an expert in materials characterization with over 47 research outputs spanning from 2005 to 2025, with a focus on understanding structure-property relationships in energy materials and nuclear materials.

Scientific Recognition:

• h-index of 20 based on Scopus citations
• 1,659 total citations
• Research covered by multiple news outlets and social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, and Reddit

Karthik mentors students as part of his role at Boise State University and collaborates extensively with researchers both on campus and externally. He directs the XEML facility, which provides critical characterization capabilities for the university and external partners. His work has been featured in multiple news outlets and shared widely across academic social media platforms, indicating the relevance and impact of his research in the materials science community.

His laboratory work focuses on advanced materials characterization, particularly using electron and x-ray microscopy techniques to understand structure-property relationships in energy materials, nuclear materials, and 2D materials. The XEML facility under his direction serves as a hub for materials research at Boise State University, supporting multiple research groups and external collaborators.