Michael Morris

Professor Michael Morris is a leading academic in the School of Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), where he holds the position of Professor of Surface and Interface Engineering and serves as the Academic Director of AMBER, a major research center for advanced materials. He has held prominent academic roles at University College Cork (UCC) and industrial positions at ICI, and is a founder of the spin-out SME Glantreo.

• PhD, Liverpool University, 1982
• BSc, Liverpool University
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Imperial College London
• Lecturer, Strathclyde University
• ICI Endowed Lectureship, Cardiff University
• Chair of Inorganic Chemistry and Head of Department, UCC
• Professor and Academic Director, TCD (2015–present)

His research focuses on nanomaterials, surface engineering, and block copolymer self-assembly for applications in nanoelectronics and food packaging. His group develops novel nanopatterning techniques using self-organizing polymers and functional surface coatings with industrial partners including Intel, DePuy, and Merck Millipore. He has deep expertise in lanthanide oxides for catalysis and environmental applications.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in directed self-assembly of block copolymers for nanofabrication, with a focus on PS-b-PDMS systems, area-selective deposition, and nanoscale patterning for semiconductor and sensor applications. Much of the work involves collaboration with industry and integrates materials synthesis, surface characterization, and device fabrication.

Prof. Morris actively supervises a large research group, with numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers co-authoring his publications. His team has secured significant industry partnerships and funding, particularly through collaborations with Intel and other technology firms, supporting the development of next-generation nanoelectronic manufacturing processes.

The group operates within the CRANN and AMBER research centers at TCD, which provide state-of-the-art facilities for nanomaterials research and nanofabrication. The team works closely with industry partners on applied research projects and technology transfer, particularly in the areas of semiconductor processing and functional coatings.