Dr. G.K. Knopf is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at Western University, Canada. He holds a Ph.D. (1991), M.Sc. (1987), and B.E. (1984) from the University of Saskatchewan. His work bridges product design, advanced manufacturing, and bio-inspired technologies. Research Focus: Dr. Knopf’s research spans 3D shape reconstruction , laser microfabrication , micro-optics , and bioelectronic imaging arrays . Recent projects emphasize light-driven actuators , flexible electronics , and graphene-based inks for printing circuits on unconventional substrates like silk and paper. Publications: Over 150 peer-reviewed works, including two edited CRC Press volumes ( Smart Biosensor Technology , Optical Nano and Micro Actuator Technology ). Key contributions involve non-lithographic fabrication , bacteriorhodopsin photodetectors , and self-organizing feature maps for data visualization. Awards/Patents: Co-inventor of two U.S. patents (6,542,249 for 3D surface measurement; 7,573,024 for bioelectronic imaging arrays). Teaching: Leads graduate courses in Medical Device Design and Optomechatronic Systems , as well as undergraduate Mechatronics and Medical Device Development courses.
Professor Kentaro Nakamura is affiliated with the Institute of Science Tokyo, specifically the Institute of Integrated Research, where he leads the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. His research spans acoustics, ultrasonic engineering, optical fiber sensors, and biomedical applications, with a focus on high-power ultrasonics and lightwave sensing technologies. His laboratory, based at Suzukakedai Campus, R2 Building 7th floor, emphasizes interdisciplinary research through projects like the Hearing Support Project and Brillouin scattering-based distributed measurement systems. Recent publications by his team explore strain/temperature sensing in perfluorinated polymer optical fibers and topology optimization for ultrasonic tools. Notable students under his supervision include Shu Kokubu (M2), Wang (D2), Wu (D3), and Li (M2), who have contributed to studies on ultrasonic levitation, optical sensors, and drug delivery systems. Professor Nakamura will retire in March 2029, after which he will no longer accept master's students proceeding to doctoral programs.
Dr. Robert O’Connor is an Assistant Professor at the School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University (DCU) , specializing in interface chemistry and thin film characterization. His work bridges semiconductor physics and energy harvesting technologies , with a focus on materials like high-κ dielectrics and III-V substrates. BSc in Applied Physics (2001), DCU PhD in Semiconductor Physics (2005), DCU His research employs X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) to study material interfaces in devices such as MOSFETs and photoelectrochemical systems . He leads a 4-year SFI-funded project on solar water splitting for hydrogen fuel and collaborates with Trinity College Dublin (SPOKE project) and IMEC, Belgium on area-selective deposition techniques. His lab utilizes a state-of-the-art integrated ALD-XPS tool . His scientific awards include the Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship , Irish Research Council EMBARK Fellowship , and SFI TIDA Award . Publications span high-κ dielectrics , self-assembled monolayers , and block copolymer lithography , with recent work on graphene oxide heterostructures and recyclability in additive manufacturing . He supervises 5 postgraduate students and teaches modules like Final Year Project (PS451) and Solid State Physics I (PS204) . Collaborations include institutions such as IMEC and Trinity College Dublin , with tools like the integrated ALD-XPS system at DCU.
Dr. Benjamin Scott Flavel is a Research Group Leader at the Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany. His research focuses on carbon nanotubes and their applications in photovoltaics and sensing technologies. He leads a dynamic research team conducting cutting-edge work on the separation, purification, and application of single- and double-walled carbon nanotubes. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Chemistry), Flinders University, Australia, 2010 Bachelor of Science in Nanotechnology (Honors), Flinders University, Australia, 2005 Habilitation in Materials Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 2018 His research interests lie at the intersection of nanotechnology and energy materials, particularly in carbon nanotube-based solar cells , chirality-specific separation techniques , and nano-sensing devices . His group has pioneered methods such as ATPE for enantiomer sorting and developed innovative solar cell architectures with industrial relevance. The research spans fundamental charge transport mechanisms to applied device engineering. The publication record shows a strong trend in advancing carbon nanotube photovoltaics, with key contributions in interface engineering, scalable fabrication, and high-efficiency CNT:Si solar cells. Work also extends to spectroscopic characterization, alignment techniques, and software tools for data analysis. Scientific Awards: Heisenberg Program, DFG (2018) Emmy Noether Program, DFG (2013) Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship (2011) Australian Government Endeavor Research Fellowship (2009) Bloom-Gutmann Prize, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (2008) Hope Meeting, Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (2008) Research Fellowship, Flinders University (2007) Dr. Flavel has successfully advised multiple PhD students, including Dr. Moritz Pfohl, Dr. Katherine Moore, and Dr. Daniel Tune. His research has been supported by significant grants from the German Research Foundation (DFG), including funding for a double-walled carbon nanotube project and an organic evaporation system (~320,000 EUR). Collaborations span institutions such as NIST, Freie Universität Berlin, University of Antwerp, McMaster University, and University of Sydney. The research group operates within the Institute of Nanotechnology at KIT, utilizing advanced infrastructure for nanomaterials synthesis, characterization, and device fabrication. The team is recognized internationally, with work featured in Open Access Government , Research Features , and Europhotonics , and covered by Nanotechweb.
Gajanan S. Bhat is a Professor and Department Head at the University of Georgia within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences . He earned his PhD in Textile and Polymer Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1990. Education : PhD (Georgia Tech, 1990) Professional Journey : Joining the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) in 1990, became Director of UTNRL , researching nanofibers, sustainable materials, and high-performance fibers. Recently transitioned to UGA as department head. Dr. Bhat's research focuses on nonwovens (meltblown, spunmelt), sustainable materials (cotton-based composites, biodegradable polymers), and high-performance fibers (carbon fibers, ballistic materials). His work bridges nanotechnology and industrial applications , addressing challenges in filtration , protective fabrics , and recycling . Recent publications highlight advancements in thermal conductivity modeling , flexible sensors , and ecological composites . His research has expanded into flushable nonwovens , PLA-based filters , and stretchable cotton textiles . Scientific Recognition : Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni, Georgia Tech (1996) Distinguished Achievement Award, The Fiber Society (1999) Technical Achievement Award, TAPPI (2014) He serves on editorial boards of journals like International Journal of Textile Engineering and Processes and Journal of Nanomaterials and Molecular Nanotechnology . Active in professional societies including The Fiber Society , INDA , and Textile Institute .
Kay Severin is a full professor at the Laboratory of Supramolecular Chemistry (LCS) within École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , Switzerland. His research focuses on the design and reactivity of metal-ligand assemblies, including coordination cages, metalloligands, and supramolecular receptors. He has pioneered the use of metalloligands for constructing heterometallic architectures and developed systems for anion extraction and stimuli-responsive hydrogels. Key funder: Swiss National Science Foundation (FNS) Collaborative work with Rosario Scopelliti and Farzaneh Fadaei Tirani Research Interests: Severin's work spans supramolecular chemistry, organometallic synthesis, and functional materials. Recent projects include: Dynamic palladium-based hydrogels with anion-responsive crosslinks Gold(I)-driven nano-onion structures via π-stacking Triazene-derived ligands for Sandmeyer-type reactions Metalloligand assembly of Fe/Pd/Au heterotrimetallic cages Publication Trends: Over 300 publications since 1994, with recent emphasis on: Coordination-driven self-assembly (2024: 6 articles) Triazene and diazoolefin reactivity (2025: 4 articles) Metal-ligand interactions in nanogels and vesicles (2024-2025: 3 articles) Environmental applications in anion extraction (2025: 1 article)
Andreas Jentys is a Professor at the Department of Technical Chemistry within the TUM School of Natural Sciences at Technische Universität München (TUM). His research focuses on understanding surface reactions and transport phenomena in mesostructured, micro- and mesoporous oxides with acid/base or redox properties, as well as supported metal catalysts for gas and condensed phase reactions. He prepares materials with tailored functionality and studies their sorptive and catalytic properties using in situ electron and vibrational spectroscopy combined with microkinetic experiments. Education: PhD (Dr. techn.) in Chemistry from TU Wien (1991) Postdoctoral: Royal Institution of Great Britain (1992-1993) with Prof. Richard Catlow Academic Career: TU Wien (1998: Associate Professor), TUM (1999: Senior Scientist; 2011: Professor) Teaching: Active in TUM Asia since 2006 Research interests span catalysis, surface chemistry, material science, and chemical reaction engineering. He specializes in zeolites, bimetallic catalysts, and in situ spectroscopic methods. Recent work examines: Hydrogen evolution and carbon-carbon coupling on Cu Methane activation via Co²⁺ sites in ZSM-5 Photocatalytic systems using metal-organic frameworks Solvent effects in palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation CO₂ hydrogenation over bifunctional catalysts Publications trend toward heterogeneous catalysis, with emphasis on: Design of mesoporous and microporous materials Characterization of metal clusters and oxo species Microkinetic modeling of catalytic systems Environmental applications (NOx/CO₂ reduction) Hydrogen and hydrocarbon processing Teaching includes courses on: Reaction Engineering and Kinetics Industrial Chemical Processes I & II Fundamentals of Catalysis TC Praktikum (internship)
Prof. Yon Visell is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) with appointments in the Department of Bioengineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Department of Mechanical Engineering. He directs the RE Touch Lab, which focuses on haptics, robotics, and interactive technologies, including sensorimotor augmentation, soft robotics, and virtual reality applications. The lab is affiliated with the Media Arts and Technology Program, Communication and Signal Processing group (ECE), Dynamic Systems and Control group (ME), California NanoSystems Institute, Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, UCSB Research Center for Virtual Environments and Behavior, and UCSB Robotics Group. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from McGill University, MA in Physics from University of Texas, Austin, and BA in Physics from Wesleyan University His research spans robotics, haptics, biomechanics, and soft electronics, aiming to advance human-computer interaction and wearable technologies. Recent work includes light-driven tactile displays, biomechanical filtering in tactile encoding, and haptic systems for VR and healthcare. The lab has received numerous awards at IEEE Haptics Symposium, World Haptics Conference, and EuroHaptics Society events. 2025 Best Demonstration Awards at IEEE World Haptics Conference 2024 Best Paper at IEEE Haptics Symposium 2023 Best Journal Paper at IEEE Transactions on Haptics Visell's group has pioneered wave-based haptic rendering, tactile holography, and soft wearable robotics. They have developed tools like SkinSource for tactile biomechanics simulation and collaborated with institutions in North America, Europe, and Japan. Current projects involve photonics-driven tactile systems, soft robotics for therapy, and next-generation haptic interfaces while mentoring students like Gregory Reardon (2024 EuroHaptics Best Dissertation), Max Linnander (IEEE Haptics awards), and Neeli Tummala (SWE Intel Scholar). Research Grants: Funded by NSF, tech, and healthcare industries Lab: RE Touch Lab at California NanoSystems Institute Collaborations: with TU Dresden, Northwestern University, NC State, UCLA, and others
Stephen Y. Chou is the Joseph C. Elgin Professor of Engineering and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Princeton University. He is affiliated with the Princeton Materials Institute (PMI) and leads the Nano, Meta, and Bio-Health Laboratory (NMBH Lab), previously known as the Nanostructures Lab. His work spans nanotechnology, bioengineering, and photonics, integrating interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges in health, electronics, and manufacturing. Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1986 M.A., Physics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1982 B.S., Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 1978 Chou's research focuses on nano-bioengineering for diagnostics and health, nanophotonics (meta-optics and subwavelength elements), and nanofabrication techniques. His work has revolutionized nanoimprint lithography, enabling breakthroughs in semiconductor devices, optical sensors, and biomedical tools. The NMBH Lab's innovations include ultra-sensitive biosensors (D2PA), the iMOST™ diagnostic platform, and foundational contributions to gate-all-around (GAA) transistors for sub-3 nm CMOS technology. His publications reflect advancements in plasmonic biosensors, organic solar cells, nanofluidics, and scalable nanoimprint methods. Key themes include nanoscale light manipulation, low-cost diagnostic systems, and quantum electronic devices. Member, National Academy of Engineering (2007) IEEE Cledo Brunetti Award (2004) IEEE Nanotechnology Pioneer Award (2014) Nanoimprint Pioneer Award (2015) Packard Fellow (1991) Fellow, IEEE (2000) Inductee, New Jersey High Tech Hall of Fame (2004) MIT Technology Review Emerging Technologies (2003, 2007) Chou has founded three companies (Nanonex, NanoOpto, Essenlix) and co-founded BioNano Genomics (NASDAQ: BNGO). His work bridges academic research and industrial impact, with over 700 publications (H-index 97) and 400 patents, influencing global nanotechnology and diagnostics. The NMBH Lab develops transformative technologies in nano-bioengineering, nanophotonics, and nanofabrication, emphasizing practical applications for healthcare and electronics.
Professor Ali Gilles Tchenguise Miserez holds a joint appointment as Professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering and the School of Biological Sciences at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. He is also the President's Chair in Materials Science and Engineering. His research group, the Biological and Biomimetic Materials Laboratory (BBML), is highly interdisciplinary, bringing together molecular biologists, chemists, bio-physicists, and materials scientists to study natural materials with unique properties not found in man-made materials. Prof. Miserez's research interests span multiple areas including bioelastomeric membranes & coiled-coil engineering, mechanisms of biofouling adhesion & anti-adhesive coatings, molecular biomimetics of non-mineralized hard tissues, biomineralized structures with graded properties, and liquid-liquid phase separation. His work focuses on understanding the molecular, physico-chemical, and structural principles of biological materials and translating these designs into novel biomimetic synthesis strategies. His laboratory emphasizes "green chemistry" approaches that mimic nature's energy-efficient synthesis methods under ambient conditions. Prof. Miserez's publication record demonstrates significant impact across multiple disciplines, with work appearing in top journals including Science, Nature Materials, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Chemical Biology, and Advanced Materials. His recent research has particularly focused on peptide coacervates for intracellular delivery of therapeutics, with applications in cancer treatment, mRNA delivery, and nucleic acid therapeutics. This work represents a convergence of materials science, biochemistry, and medicine with significant translational potential. Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF) Fellowship (2011) - $3 Million individual research grant for early career scientists Prof. Miserez has mentored numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. His laboratory has developed strong international collaborations and has secured significant research funding. Current projects include developing peptide-based delivery systems for cancer therapeutics, understanding marine biofouling mechanisms, and creating biomimetic materials inspired by natural systems. The BBML laboratory is actively recruiting talented researchers interested in interdisciplinary work at the interface of biology and materials science.
H. Jerry Qi is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He specializes in finite deformation multiphysics modeling of soft active materials, with a focus on shape memory polymers, 4D printing, and material recycling. His research integrates experimental and computational approaches to advance additive manufacturing technologies. Education: Sc.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003 Ph.D., Tsinghua University, China, 1999 B.S., Tsinghua University, China, 1994 Research Interests: Dr. Qi's work spans 4D printing of active materials, mechanics in 3D printing, and sustainable polymer processing. His group develops hybrid printing methods and recyclable thermosetting polymers, collaborating with institutions like SUTD and AFRL. Key areas include smart material design, photomechanical experiments, and finite element modeling. Scientific Awards: ASME Fellow (2015) Woodruff Faculty Fellow (2015) J. T. Oden Faculty Fellowship (2012) NSF Career Award (2007) Advising & Grants: Dr. Qi actively seeks undergraduate, PhD, and postdoc researchers. His projects are funded by NSF, AFOSR, and industry partnerships. He leads a research group focused on advancing active materials and sustainable manufacturing. Labs & Teams: His lab integrates computational modeling, experimental mechanics, and additive manufacturing to create innovative materials and structures for applications in aerospace, biomedical, and environmental engineering.
Prof. Jianyong Ouyang is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), part of the Faculty of Engineering. He holds a PhD from the Institute for Molecular Science (Japan), and has worked at the Japanese Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, UCLA, and NUS since 2006. His research focuses on high-performance conducting polymers, thermoelectric materials, and flexible electronics. Key achievements include inventing the first polymer/nanoparticle memristor (2004), hybrid ionic/electronic thermoelectric converters (2020), and self-adhesive conducting polymers (2020). Research interests include flexible/wearable electronics, organic electronics, and energy materials. Notable awards include the Distinguished Award for Novel Materials (2015), NUS Young Investigator Award (2017), and inclusion in the World’s top 2% Scientists (2019–2022). His lab has over 200 publications with ~30,000 citations and an H-index of 87. Publications highlight advancements in thermoelectric polymers, stretchable sensors, and energy materials. Collaborations include work on perovskite solar cells, graphene-based electrodes, and MXene composites. His group explores applications in healthcare monitoring, energy harvesting, and smart materials.
Pedro Fardim is a Professor at the KU Leuven , affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Department of Chemical Engineering , and leads the Chemical and Biochemical Reactor Technology and Safety (CREaS) division. He also serves as President of EPNOE (European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence) and is a member of multiple institutes including KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI) , Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO) , and Institute for Micro- and Nano-scale Integration (LIMNI) . PhD in Chemistry, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil Habilitation in Chemical Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Finland Pedro’s research focuses on topochemical engineering —mimicking natural bioassembly processes in trees and microorganisms to create sustainable materials and biofabrication technologies . His work spans drug delivery , regenerative medicine , biopolymer engineering , and green chemistry , with applications in pharmaceuticals , cosmetics , and energy . Recent projects include hydrogels for wearable sensors , biohybrid materials for bone tissue engineering , and lignin valorization using hydrotropic solvents. His scientific awards include Fellowships from the Royal Society of Chemistry and the International Academy of Wood Science , along with membership in the American Chemical Society . He teaches Chemical Engineering for Human Health , Biochemical Process Engineering , and Biopolymer-based Sustainable Technologies .
Prof. Roland A. Fischer is a Full Professor at the Chair of Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry at Technical University of Munich (TUM). Previously, he held a Full Professorship at Ruhr University Bochum (1997–2015). His research focuses on multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), clusters, and composites for energy conversion, catalysis, gas storage, and environmental applications. He leads the Catalysis Research Center and has pioneered advancements in MOF-based catalytic systems and stimuli-responsive materials. Education: 1981–1986: Diplom in Chemistry (TUM) 1989: PhD, Dr. rer. nat. (TUM) 1995: Habilitation (TUM) Research Interests: His work integrates molecular and extended catalytic systems, including: - Design of MOFs for photocatalytic fuel production - Nanoparticle encapsulation in robust frameworks - Redox-switchable materials and photochromic systems - Cluster chemistry and superatom complexes - Applications in energy storage, environmental remediation, and biomedical technologies. Major Achievements: Over 680+ publications, h-index 101 (Scopus 2025) Coordinator of EU projects (SURMOF, ENHANCE, DEFNET) Recipient of Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Award (1993) and Alfried Krupp Award (1996) Editorial roles: Angewandte Chemie , Chemical Vapour Deposition Grants & Teams: He has secured major grants including DFG Priority Programs (CVD-Materials, COORNETs) and led interdisciplinary teams in EU initiatives. His lab collaborates globally, including visiting professorships at Kyoto University and IIT Bombay. Labs & Facilities: His research uses advanced facilities like the Catalysis Research Center and contributes to platforms such as the Munich Catalysis Alliance. Key tools include atomic layer deposition, in situ characterization, and MOF-based device fabrication.
Dr. Sander J. Wezenberg is an Associate Professor at the Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, where he leads an independent research group focused on developing stimuli-responsive molecular receptors and self-assembling materials. He was appointed Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen in 2017 and moved to Leiden University in 2019 to establish his research group, where he was promoted to Associate Professor in 2022. Dr. Wezenberg's educational background includes: Master's degree in Chemistry at the University of Nijmegen, conducting research in Prof. Roeland Nolte's group PhD in Supramolecular Chemistry at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) under Prof. Arjan Kleij (2011) Postdoctoral fellow with Prof. François Diederich at ETH Zurich Postdoctoral work with Prof. Ben Feringa at the University of Groningen His research focuses on using interdisciplinary approaches combining synthetic organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and photochemistry to develop systems that can study and manipulate biological processes. Key research areas include: Photodynamic control of anion binding and lipid bilayer membrane transport Creation of polymeric and self-assembled materials with switchable functions Development of new diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents to improve human health Dr. Wezenberg's recent publications demonstrate strong trends in photoresponsive molecular systems for controlling anion transport and membrane properties. His work bridges chemistry, materials science, and biological applications, with particular emphasis on light-switchable molecular receptors and their applications in biological systems. Scientific awards and recognition: ERC Starting Grant (2018) Veni Grant from NWO (2014) Vidi Grant from NWO (2018) Member of the Young Academy of Europe (2020) Dr. Wezenberg actively mentors PhD and Master's students, with current advisees including Nol Duindam, Sabine Langens, Sofiia Emashova, Lin Xu, Dimitris Piperoudis, and Josien de Graaf. His research is supported by multiple funding sources including Leiden University, the European Research Council, the Dutch Research Council, and the China Scholarship Council. The Wezenberg Research Group is based at the Gorlaeus Laboratories in the new Gorlaeus Building at Leiden University, where they maintain a highly collaborative research environment focused on molecular switches, anion recognition, and dynamic supramolecular systems.
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