Professor Matthew Halsall is Head of Materials, Devices and Systems Division at the University of Manchester's School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. His research specializes in optical spectroscopy of electronic materials, with expertise in semiconductor defect characterization using photoluminescence and deep-level transient spectroscopy. Current investigations focus on wide bandgap semiconductors (Ga₂O₃), quantum well structures, and nanocrystalline materials. Recent publications examine defect states in doped crystals and efficiency mechanisms in InGaN systems.
Prof Rachel Oliver is a Professor of Materials Science at the University of Cambridge , affiliated with the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy . She serves as Director of the Cambridge Centre for Gallium Nitride and Chief Scientific Officer of the spinout company Poro Technologies . Education: MEng, University of Oxford DPhil, University of Oxford Her research focuses on the characterization and engineering of GaN-based materials for optoelectronic and electronic devices. Key areas include defect analysis in nitride semiconductors, quantum dot development for single-photon sources, and porous GaN applications. She employs advanced techniques like atom-probe tomography , cathodoluminescence , and electron microscopy to study structure-property relationships. Recent publications highlight trends in solar cell efficiency optimization, quantum well dynamics, and multi-microscopy characterization of defects. Her work addresses challenges in nitride materials, such as efficiency droop and defect passivation. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) Rachel Oliver leads the Cambridge Centre for Gallium Nitride, a key player in the EPSRC National Epitaxy Facility , providing nitride materials to UK academics. Her team collaborates on projects involving quantum cryptography , power electronics , and novel device concepts .
Campbell McLauchlan is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Physics at the University of Sydney. He specializes in theoretical quantum physics, with a focus on quantum computing, quantum error correction, and many-body systems. Education: PhD in Theoretical Quantum Physics from the University of Cambridge, researching quantum computing with Majorana fermions and quantum phases of many-body systems. His research interests include quantum error-correction protocols, fault-tolerant quantum computation, and the application of Majorana fermions in quantum computing. He explores theoretical frameworks for mitigating errors in quantum systems and advancing practical implementations of quantum technologies. McLauchlan’s recent work emphasizes error-corrected quantum gates, dynamical codes for biased noise, and integration of Majorana fermions into surface codes. His publications address challenges such as fabrication defects, hardware optimization, and fault tolerance in quantum systems. He has held roles at Riverlane Ltd as a quantum scientist and at University College London as a postdoctoral researcher. No specific grants or advising details are provided, though his contributions to quantum error correction and topological matter highlight his collaborative and innovative approach to advancing quantum technologies.
Volker Deringer is an Associate Professor of Theoretical and Computational Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Oxford's Department of Chemistry. He holds a Tutorial Fellowship at St Anne's College and teaches Inorganic Chemistry to first- and second-year students at St Anne's and Oriel Colleges. His research focuses on combining quantum mechanics with machine learning to model materials at the atomic scale, with emphasis on amorphous solids, functional materials design, and interatomic potential development. Education: He earned his diploma (2010) and doctorate (summa cum laude, 2014) in Chemistry from RWTH Aachen University, Germany, under Prof. Richard Dronskowski. Postdoctoral positions included a Humboldt Fellowship at the University of Cambridge (2015) and a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (2017). Research Interests: Machine learning interatomic potentials, structural chemistry of amorphous solids, functional materials for energy storage and electronics. His work bridges theoretical/computational methods with experimental collaborations, emphasizing practical applications like phase-change memory materials and graphene oxide systems. Publications: Over 100 articles since 2017, including high-impact journals like Nature, Nature Chemistry, and Nature Communications. Recent work explores AI-driven materials discovery, amorphous silicon dynamics, and battery anode design. Key themes include accelerating simulations via ML, understanding disorder in materials, and developing transferable interatomic potentials. Grants/Awards: Recipient of Alexander von Humboldt and Leverhulme Fellowships. Active in cross-disciplinary projects combining AI and materials science. Labs/Teams: Leads a research group focused on computational materials design, collaborating with experimentalists globally. Involved in developing open-source tools like LOBSTER for chemical bonding analysis.
Dr. Silvia Motti is a Lecturer at the University of Southampton, focusing on optoelectronic and quantum materials. Her research centers on hybrid low-dimensional semiconductors, particularly perovskite materials, investigating charge-carrier dynamics, lattice dynamics, and device applications such as solar cells and LEDs. She leads projects on exciton formation, charge transport mechanisms, and energy-level alignment in semiconductor heterostructures. Her current roles include supervising three PhD students in Physics and Quantum Technology Engineering. She collaborates with the Quantum, Light and Matter Group and contributes to the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Technology Engineering. Her work bridges computational modeling, experimental physics, and device engineering, with a focus on understanding material properties at the atomic scale to improve optoelectronic performance. Key research areas include perovskite solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and the structural dynamics of halide materials. Dr. Motti's publications highlight advancements in understanding defects, phase segregation, and energy-level alignment critical for high-efficiency devices.
Nico F. Declercq is a Full Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology's George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, with primary duties at Georgia Tech Lorraine in Metz, France. He holds courtesy appointments at the Université de Lorraine and the University of Allahabad (India as Honoris Causa). His research focuses on acoustics, nondestructive evaluation (NDE), and materials science, with notable contributions to ultrasonic techniques for composite materials, biomedical applications, and geometric relativity theories like Trembling Spacetime Relativity Theory (TSRT). Declercq has supervised eight faculty members, authored over 150 publications, and pioneered studies on phenomena such as the acoustic properties of Chichen Itza and Epidaurus. Education: PhD (Engineering Physics, Ghent University, 2005), M.Sc. (Physics, KU Leuven, 2000), B.Sc. (Physics, KU Leuven, 1996). Research Interests: TSRT (geometric quantum foundations), NDE of composites and biological tissues, phononic crystals, and ultrasonic robotics. Awards include the 2022 Honoris Causa Professorship, ICA Early Career Award (2007), and World Technology finalist (2009). His work bridges acoustics, materials science, and fundamental physics, with applications in aerospace, energy systems, and medical diagnostics.
David Veblen is Professor and former Department Chair in Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. He leads a research group specializing in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) applied to mineral defects, exsolution microstructures, weathering processes, and phase transformations. The group operates a Philips CM300FEG TEM funded by NSF and Keck Foundation grants. Current research examines mineral reactions in impactites, slag weathering, pyribole stacking disorders, and alloy phase transformations. Field sites span global localities including Switzerland, Oman, and the American Southwest. Collaborations integrate crystallography with geochemistry to understand metamorphic and diagenetic processes. Over 100 publications analyze microstructures in diverse materials from dolomites to superconductors. Research has been funded by NSF, NASA, and DOE. Teaches mineralogy, crystallography, and electron microscopy courses.
Dr. Jan-Willem Bos is a Reader in Energy Materials and Sustainability at the School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews. His research group focuses on developing sustainable solid-state energy materials for waste heat recovery and thermal management, with expertise in thermoelectric generators, Heusler materials, and electrochemical systems for ionic thermoelectrics. Current projects include the Leverhulme Trust-funded 'Discovery of New Phosphide Thermoelectrics' and EPSRC-supported 'Transformative Recovery of Low-Grade Waste Heat'. Research interests center on energy materials design, emphasizing sustainability and resource efficiency. Key areas include thermoelectric materials for power generation, ionic conductors for solid-state batteries, and catalytic systems for CO2 capture. The lab employs neutron diffraction, in-situ spectroscopy, and advanced synthesis techniques to probe material behavior. Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on thermoelectric optimization (2024-2025), with emerging work on battery anodes and CO2 conversion. Articles frequently address doping strategies, phase transitions, and structure-property relationships in complex oxides and phosphides. The Centre for Clean Energy Research provides infrastructure for prototype development. Dr. Bos currently advises PhD candidate Kim-Isabelle Mehnert on thermoelectric materials and collaborates internationally on energy storage projects.
Rebecca Anthony is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University's College of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota (2011) and a B.S. in Physics from Carleton College (2003). Her research focuses on plasma-based synthesis of semiconductor nanostructures, gas-phase processing, and functionalization of nanomaterials for energy and biomedical applications. Key research areas include silicon nanocrystals for light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and imaging agents. Her work has led to innovations in stretchable nanoparticle films, tunable optical films, and plasma-pen deposition techniques. She has been recognized with the 2020-2021 Sustained Excellence in Diversity Award. Her publications span over 20 years, addressing topics from nanocrystal photoluminescence to plasma reactor optimization. She leads the Plasmas and Nanomaterials Lab, collaborating on projects such as gallium nitride nanoparticles and hybrid nanocomposites for environmental and energy applications. Her lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining mechanical engineering with materials science and plasma physics. Ongoing projects include developing luminescent solar concentrators and studying mechanical instabilities in nanocrystal films. Students and postdocs in her group have presented at conferences like IMECE and the Michigan Institute of Plasma Science and Engineering (MIPSE) Symposia.
Amanda Langørgen is a **Research Fellow** at the University of Oslo's Department of Physics , affiliated with the **Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN)** and the **Solid-state Physics and Quantum Technology** research group. She holds a Master's in Nanotechnology from NTNU (2015-2020). Her work focuses on defects in gallium oxide (Ga2O3), combining experimental techniques like deep-level transient spectroscopy and computational methods for semiconductor analysis. She collaborates on projects such as GO2DEVICE, exploring Ga2O3 thin films for electronic devices. Research interests include semiconductor physics, defect engineering, and material characterization. Her recent publications (2022–2024) analyze defects in β- and κ-Ga2O3 using advanced spectroscopic methods. She contributes to the development of two-dimensional electron gas devices through defect-level insights. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned. She is part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and conducts research at the Kristen Nygaards hus campus in Oslo.
Dr. Devis Di Tommaso is a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences at Queen Mary University of London. His research focuses on computational chemistry techniques applied to CO2 conversion, theoretical catalysis, and materials science. He holds a PhD from the University of Trieste and has conducted postdoctoral research at the Royal Institution and University College London. His work integrates computational methods (e.g., DFT, molecular dynamics) with experimental studies to address challenges in environmental sustainability, such as CO2 utilization and mineral carbonation. Educations: PhD in Theoretical Chemistry, University of Trieste (2006) Postdoctoral Research: Royal Institution of Great Britain (2006–2007), University College London (2007–2012) Research Interests: Computational modeling of CO2 conversion to value-added chemicals Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 and solution thermodynamics Crystal nucleation/growth mechanisms in materials synthesis Development of machine learning tools for materials discovery Grants & Awards: Royal Society Industry Fellowship (2012) Leverhulme Trust Grant: Optimizing CO2 Mineralization (2024–2027) Royal Society International Exchange Grant: Tungsten-Free Superhard Materials (2023–2025) Labs & Collaborations: Centre for Chemical Research Centre for Experimental and Applied Physics
Prof. Wolfgang Heiss is a Professor and Head of the Solution-Processed-Semiconductor-Materials (SOPSEM) group at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He serves as Studiendekan III, overseeing student affairs. His research focuses on colloidal nanocrystals, metal-halide perovskites, and their applications in electronic devices, photonics, and X-ray detection. Key projects include 'Smart Windows' for dynamic transmittance control and X-ray imaging using perovskite materials, leading to the 2023 startup Amperial Windows Technologies. His group operates from the Energy-Campus-Nürnberg and offers Bachelor/Master theses in these areas. Research interests span semiconductor materials, nanocrystal synthesis, perovskite-based technologies, and advanced detector systems. Recent work emphasizes solution epitaxy for perovskite micro-crystals and their use in lasers, X-ray imaging, and energy harvesting. Notable achievements include high-sensitivity X-ray detectors and self-healing perovskite wafers, published in journals like Nature Electronics and Advanced Materials . Advisees and grants: The SOPSEM group actively mentors students through thesis projects. Collaborations and grants support innovations in nanomaterials and energy technologies. The group’s facilities at Energy-Campus-Nürnberg enable cutting-edge research in materials synthesis and device fabrication.
Samaneh Nasiri is a Researcher at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). She is affiliated with the Materials Simulation (MATSIM) group, focusing on computational and experimental studies of advanced materials. Her research emphasizes nanocomposites, interfacial mechanics, and atomistic simulations of metallic systems. Key areas include magnesium-silicon carbide interfaces, dislocation dynamics in aluminum-CNT composites, and fracture mechanisms in nanomaterials. She has contributed to developing manufacturing techniques for enhanced magnesium alloys and pioneered multiscale modeling approaches for graphene-Pt nanoparticle structures. Her work bridges computational materials science with practical engineering applications, leveraging ab initio methods and molecular dynamics simulations. Recent projects address challenges in lightweight materials for aerospace and automotive industries through studies on metal-coated nanotube reinforcements and dislocation interactions in crystal defects. Her research is published in journals like Metals , Materialia , and Acta Materialia . Dr. Nasiri collaborates with Erlangen's Materials Science community and participates in FAU's interdisciplinary research initiatives. She maintains an active presence on academic platforms including ResearchGate and Google Scholar.
Professor Denise M. Krol is a materials scientist at the University of California, Davis, affiliated with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering within the UC Davis College of Engineering. Her research focuses on femtosecond laser processing of optical materials, particularly in ternary zinc phosphate glasses and fused silica. Key interests include nanostructuring, waveguide fabrication, and applications in bio-sensing, data storage, and optical signal processing. She explores laser-material interactions at ultrafast timescales, plasma dynamics, and structural modifications induced by femtosecond pulses. Her work spans from fundamental studies of warm dense matter in silicon dioxide to applied projects like fiber Bragg gratings and semiconductor-doped glasses. Recent projects investigate hydrogen loading effects and compositional impacts on laser-induced defects, while earlier contributions include pioneering femtosecond laser writing techniques for photonic structures. Prof. Krol has also applied Raman spectroscopy and laser tweezers to microbiological studies, analyzing bacterial responses to antibiotics. Publications highlight her expertise in ultrafast laser-material interactions, structural characterization of modified materials, and the development of novel optical devices. Current research integrates semiconductor nanoparticles into glass matrices for advanced photonic applications. She maintains an active lab group focused on femtosecond laser processing and spectroscopic analysis, with collaborations in both academia and industry.
Dr. Yang Liu is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leicester, joining in February 2024. Prior to this, he held a postdoctoral position at Imperial College London, focusing on fatigue, creep-fatigue, and hydrogen-related issues in aerospace and nuclear industries. His research integrates micro-mechanical experiments with computational models to address industrial challenges in materials science and engineering. His academic background includes extensive work on crystal plasticity modeling, hydrogen embrittlement in zirconium alloys, and the mechanical behavior of advanced materials under extreme conditions. Key focus areas include the development of multiscale models to predict material responses to thermomechanical loading, irradiation damage, and environmental effects. Dr. Liu's recent publications highlight advancements in understanding hydride precipitation mechanisms, strain rate sensitivity in zirconium alloys, and fatigue nucleation in titanium alloys. His work bridges fundamental material science with practical industrial applications, particularly in aerospace and nuclear sectors. His research is characterized by a strong emphasis on combining experimental data with advanced computational techniques, such as crystal plasticity finite element modeling and uncertainty quantification. Collaborations with industry stakeholders ensure his findings address real-world challenges in material design and performance optimization.
