Robert Klie

Robert Klie serves as Department Head and Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), where he leads groundbreaking research in electron microscopy and materials science. A globally recognized expert, he has built one of the world's premier microscopy centers at UIC, attracting international researchers seeking to advance their science through state-of-the-art instrumentation and technical support.

• Academic Director of Electron Microscopy Core Facilities at UIC
• UIC Strategic Lead for Advanced Imaging
• Director of the Nanoscale Physics Group
• Leader of Functional and Regenerative Materials working group

Dr. Klie's research focuses on developing novel materials characterization approaches using electron microscopy, with applications in energy storage, quantum computing, and regenerative medicine. His Nanoscale Physics Group has pioneered in-situ, atomic-resolution characterization methods for liquid-phase, cryo-, and high-temperature measurements of materials' local atomic and electronic structures. His work bridges physics, materials science, and medical applications through the Functional and Regenerative Materials initiative, which brings together faculty from UIC's health sciences colleges, College of Engineering, and College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Analysis of Dr. Klie's recent publications reveals a strong focus on advanced materials characterization techniques with applications across multiple domains. His research spans energy storage materials, quantum computing components, biomaterials, and novel 2D materials like MXenes. The publications demonstrate consistent innovation in electron microscopy techniques applied to cutting-edge materials science problems, with particular emphasis on in-situ characterization and atomic-level understanding of material properties.

• Fellow of the Microscopy Society of America
• 2020 Microscopy Today Innovation Award
• Brookhaven Goldhaber Distinguished Fellowship
• NSF CAREER award
• University of Illinois Researcher of the Year award

Dr. Klie has secured significant research funding, including a $4M NSF award that brought a next-generation microscope to UIC. His leadership has helped UIC exceed half a billion dollars in research funding for the first time. He has built one of the premier microscopy centers at UIC with more than 150 regional and international users, demonstrating strong grant acquisition and management capabilities. His work with the Functional and Regenerative Materials working group represents a major interdisciplinary collaborative effort across UIC's colleges.

Dr. Klie directs the Nanoscale Physics Group at UIC and oversees the Electron Microscopy Core Facilities at the Research Resources Center. He leads the UIC Strategic Initiative for Advanced Imaging and coordinates the Functional and Regenerative Materials working group, which includes faculty from health sciences colleges, the College of Engineering, and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. His microscopy center has become a hub for regional and international researchers, with over 150 users from various institutions.