Kenneth Knappenberger Jr.

Kenneth Knappenberger Jr. is the Department Head and Professor of Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University. He leads the Knappenberger Research Group, focusing on structural photonics and ultrafast spectroscopy. His work integrates femtosecond optical techniques to study nanoscale light-matter interactions in plasmonic nanostructures and monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs).

• Education:
  • B.S., Lock Haven University, 2000
  • Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University, 2005
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California–Berkeley, 2005–2008

Research Interests: Dr. Knappenberger’s group explores structural photonics, plasmonics, quantum photonics, and ultrafast microscopy. Key areas include:

• Plasmonic nanostructures and their electromagnetic properties
• Quantum dynamics in metal clusters
• Super-resolution imaging and interferometric spectroscopy
• Ultrafast energy transfer in nanomaterials

Recent Trends in Publications: His work emphasizes 2D materials, nonlinear optics, and plasmon-mediated phenomena. Articles highlight advancements in high harmonic generation, ligand effects on nanoclusters, and super-resolution imaging techniques.

• Awards:
  • Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2020
  • CAREER Award, National Science Foundation, 2011
  • Young Investigator Award, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, 2010

Advising & Grants: Over 30 students have been advised, including current PhD candidates and alumni in academia and industry. His research is supported by NSF, DOD, and other grants.

Labs/Teams: The Knappenberger Group develops cutting-edge instrumentation for ultrafast microscopy and collaborates globally on structural photonics. The group emphasizes diversity and inclusivity in research.