Peter Persans

Peter Persans is a Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His research spans the physics of amorphous, nanocrystalline, and low-dimensional materials, with applications in optoelectronics and energy conversion. Recently, he has focused on undergraduate education reform, including initiatives like cross-disciplinary mentor programs and open-source remote laboratory tools for introductory physics.

• Key research areas: amorphous materials, nanocrystalline materials, optoelectronics, physics education
• Notable work: Silicon hyperdoping, quantum dots in glass matrices, Titan haze analogs

With 126 publications in Scopus, his work bridges fundamental materials science and educational innovation. Current projects emphasize scalable solutions for enhancing STEM education through technology and curriculum development.