John Capobianco, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Concordia University and holds the Honorary Concordia University Research Chair in Nanoscience. His research focuses on lanthanide-doped nanoparticles, upconversion luminescence, and biomedical applications. PhD, University of Geneva Key research areas include: Nanomaterials synthesis and spectroscopy Upconversion for biomedical imaging Drug delivery systems Photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment Optical thermometry and sensing Recent publications highlight advancements in: X-ray detection via photochromic nanoparticles Lipid-coated nanoparticles for lung permeation Cooperative energy transfer in Yb3+/Eu3+ complexes Biocompatible nanomaterials for secure information storage Pr3+-doped radiosensitizers for glioblastoma therapy Scientific recognitions: Honorary Concordia University Research Chair in Nanoscience Teaching includes undergraduate and graduate courses in inorganic chemistry and spectroscopy. His work bridges fundamental material science with applied biomedical engineering, emphasizing optical properties and therapeutic applications of lanthanide-based nanomaterials.
Andrew B. Bocarsly is a Professor of Chemistry at Princeton University, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on physical inorganic chemistry, catalysis, materials science, and CO₂ conversion. He leads the Bocarsly Lab, which explores electrochemical and photochemical methods to convert CO₂ into fuels and valuable chemicals, emphasizing heterogeneous catalysts and novel materials like cyanogels. His work intersects with sustainability and energy applications, supported by collaborations with institutions like the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. Research Interests: - Development of catalysts for CO₂ reduction to multi-carbon species - Electrocatalytic and photocatalytic mechanisms using transition metal complexes - Low-temperature synthesis of alloys and semiconductors via cyanogel systems - Design of photoelectrochemical systems for solar energy conversion Recent trends in his publications highlight advancements in catalyst design (e.g., Ni-enhanced oxides, manganese complexes), CO₂-to-CO/1-butanol conversion, and semiconductor materials for hydrogen evolution. His lab actively mentors students, with notable graduates like Andersen Dimon and Rebecca Evans. Collaborations extend to Princeton’s Materials Institute and the Electrochemical Society. Labs/Teams: The Bocarsly Lab operates in Frick Chemistry Laboratory, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to energy sustainability. Recent activities include hosting the 19th International Conference on Carbon Dioxide Utilization (2022) and fostering undergraduate and graduate research programs.
Prof. Peter Müller-Buschbaum is a Full Professor and Head of the Chair of Functional Materials at the Physics Department of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He has held this position since April 2018 and also served as Scientific Director of the Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM-II) and the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Center (MLZ) from 2018 to 2023. His leadership extends to multiple roles including Core Member of the Integrated Research Institute Munich Institute of Integrated Materials, Energy and Process Engineering (MEP) since 2021, and Head of the Renewable Energies Network (NRG) at MEP. Full Professor (W3), Head of the Chair of Functional Materials at TUM School of Natural Sciences (since 04/2018) Deputy Editor of "ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces" (since 01/2024) Supervising Professor "Electronics Laboratory" at TUM School of Natural Sciences (since 11/2023) Member of TUM Sustainability Board (since 05/2023) Core Member of MEP Institute (since 10/2021) Head of Renewable Energies Network at MEP (since 10/2021) Prof. Müller-Buschbaum's research spans energy materials for photovoltaics and battery technologies, smart responsive materials that adapt to environmental stimuli, and nanocomposite materials with tailored properties. His group employs advanced scattering techniques to characterize materials at the nanoscale, providing insights into structure-property relationships critical for developing next-generation energy technologies. His extensive publication record demonstrates particular expertise in perovskite solar cells, lithium-ion battery technologies, and polymer-based functional materials, with recent work focusing on improving device stability and efficiency while understanding fundamental degradation mechanisms. His publications reveal a strong emphasis on energy conversion and storage technologies, with particular attention to interfacial engineering in both photovoltaic and battery systems. The research shows sophisticated integration of materials synthesis, advanced characterization, and device engineering to address critical challenges in renewable energy technologies. His work bridges fundamental science with practical applications through collaborations with major international research facilities. Scientific Service and Recognition Member of the Council of the Cluster of Excellence "ORIGINS" (since 01/2019) Spokesperson of the Chemical Physics and Polymer Physics Association of DPG (03/2021-10/2022) Member of the European Spallation Source Scientific Advisory Panel (since 03/2011) German representative at the European Polymer Federation for polymer physics (since 03/2011) Chairman of the Keylab "TUM.solar" in the Bavarian research project "Solar Technologies Go Hybrid" (since 03/2012) Prof. Müller-Buschbaum actively contributes to academic community through editorial work, having served as Associate Editor (2012-2022), Executive Editor (2023), and currently Deputy Editor (2024-present) of "ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces". He maintains strong international collaborations with synchrotron and neutron facilities worldwide, reflecting his expertise in advanced materials characterization techniques essential for cutting-edge materials research.
Lara A. Estroff is a Full Professor and the current Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University's College of Engineering. She has been a faculty member since 2005 and served as Director of Graduate Studies from 2015 to 2019. Her academic leadership and research excellence position her at the forefront of bio-inspired materials and biomineralization research. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Chemistry from Swarthmore College (1997) and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Yale University (2003), followed by an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University in the lab of Prof. George M. Whitesides. Dr. Estroff's research centers on the fundamental mechanisms of crystal growth, biomineralization, and pathological mineralization. She investigates how organisms control mineral formation and applies these principles to engineer synthetic materials with complex structures and functionalities. Her work spans biomaterials, tissue engineering, and energy materials—particularly hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites for photovoltaics. She employs advanced characterization techniques and has pioneered in situ methods to monitor crystallization dynamics. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research, integrating materials science with cancer biology, immunology, and machine learning. The articles emphasize bio-inspired synthesis, mineral-tissue interactions, and the development of functional crystalline materials for medical and energy applications. Faculty Early CAREER Award, National Science Foundation (2009) Fiona Ip Li '78 and Donald Li '75 Excellence in Teaching Award, Cornell College of Engineering (2007) Marilyn Emmons Williams Award, Cornell Undergraduate Research Board (2009) Keynote Speaker, Gordon Research Seminar on Biomineralization (2012) Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Affiliate (2013) Dr. Estroff leads a major DOE-funded project titled “Formulation Engineering of Energy Materials via Multiscale Learning Spirals,” a $3 million, three-year initiative using machine learning to optimize perovskite synthesis for solar cells. She has advised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and her lab is known for fostering collaborative, cross-disciplinary research. She has also contributed to educational initiatives at Cornell, particularly in undergraduate research and materials education. Her research group operates at the intersection of chemistry, engineering, and biology, focusing on high-resolution characterization of biominerals, in situ crystal growth studies, and the design of in vitro models for cell-mineral interactions. The lab actively collaborates with institutions including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Johns Hopkins University.
Hossein Nami is an Associate Professor at the Department of Green Technology (IGT) and SDU Life Cycle Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark . His research focuses on Power-to-X , Hydrogen production , E-fuel , and system modeling for sustainable energy solutions. PhD, University of Tabriz (2018) Postdoc, Technical University of Denmark (2020-2022) Assistant Professor, University of Southern Denmark (2022-2025) Nami's research output includes 15 articles (2024-2026) on topics like ammonia-fueled fuel cells , geothermal cycles , chemical looping combustion , and electrolysis optimization . His work emphasizes techno-economic analysis, exergy efficiency, and multi-objective optimization for low-carbon energy systems. He leads the FLEX-ENVIRONMENT project (2024-2027) on electrolyzer integration and contributes to CARMA-Green Fuels (2023-2026) and GRACE (2025) for carbon management and grid-aware investment. His teaching includes supervision of MSc theses on renewable hydrocarbons and power-to-X technologies at SDU.
Professor Emiliano Cortés is a faculty member at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), where he leads research in Plasmonic and Photonic Chemistry at the Nano-Institute Munich. His work bridges the fields of nanotechnology, physical chemistry, and materials science, focusing on light-matter interactions for energy conversion applications. Dr. Cortés' research focuses on plasmonics , photocatalysis , and electrocatalysis at the nanoscale. His group investigates how the dynamics of photons, plasmon-polaritons, carriers, phonons, and molecular states influence chemical reactivity. A key aspect of his work involves developing techniques to study plasmonic systems at the single particle level and designing rational synthesis approaches for plasmonic colloidal photo and electrocatalysts. His research has significant implications for sustainable energy technologies, environmental remediation, and advanced sensing applications. Analysis of Professor Cortés' recent publications reveals a strong focus on energy conversion processes, with particular emphasis on CO2 reduction, ammonia synthesis, and hydrogen production. His work integrates plasmonic effects with catalytic processes to enhance reaction efficiencies, often through innovative interface engineering and nanostructure design. The research spans fundamental studies of charge carrier dynamics to practical applications in energy storage and environmental technologies. Professor Cortés actively mentors doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers, currently advertising open positions for projects on Single particle photo and electrocatalysis and Synthesis of hybrid colloids . His research group, the Hybrid Plasmonics Lab (www.hybridplasmonics.org), receives funding from various sources to support their work on plasmon-mediated chemistry for sustainable applications. The Cortés research group operates within the Nano-Institute Munich, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for nanomaterial synthesis, characterization, and testing. Their work combines experimental approaches with theoretical modeling to understand and harness light-matter interactions at the nanoscale for practical applications in energy conversion and environmental technologies.
Scott Geyer is an Associate Teaching Professor of Chemistry at Wake Forest University, located in Winston-Salem, NC. He holds a B.S. (2005) from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. (2010) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by postdoctoral research at Stanford University. Research Focus : Dr. Geyer’s research bridges chemical education and materials science. In pedagogy, he emphasizes laboratory course design to enhance student decision-making and scientific communication skills, particularly for graduate program applications. His materials research explores nanocrystal-based catalytic systems for energy applications, including water splitting, CO2 reduction, and photocatalytic processes. Key Contributions : His work includes developing trifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting, lead-free perovskite alternatives for CO2 reduction, and scalable H2O2 electrosynthesis. His studies often combine computational modeling (e.g., DFT simulations) with experimental synthesis of nanomaterials. Awards & Recognition : No specific awards listed, though his publications reflect sustained contributions to catalysis and nanomaterial research. Advising & Grants : While no advisees are listed, his teaching role likely involves mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in laboratory practices and research methodologies. His work is supported by grants focused on sustainable energy materials. Labs & Teams : Engaged with Wake Forest’s chemistry department labs, contributing to interdisciplinary efforts in nanomaterials and sustainable chemistry.
Renaud BACHELOT is a full Professor of Physics at the University of Technology of Troyes (UTT) since 1996. He leads the Light, Nanomaterials, and Nanotechnologies (L2n) laboratory and directs the Graduate School 'Nano-optics & Nanophotonics'. He holds adjunct professorships at the University of Paris-Saclay (LuMIn Lab) and Shanghai University (1000-talents Grant). His research focuses on nano-optics, plasmonics, and hybrid nanoplasmonics, with expertise in photopolymerization and plasmon-driven chemical processes. Education: PhD and graduate studies at Université Paris-Cité and ESPCI Paris Research Interests: BACHELOT’s work spans nanoscale light-matter interactions, including plasmonic nanostructures, photopolymerization-based fabrication, and applications in optical sensing and quantum photonics. His lab employs advanced techniques like near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) and two-photon polymerization. Grants & Projects: ANR-PIA3 STRONG-NANO (2023-2026) ANR ADVANSPEC (2022-2025) International collaborations with NTU Singapore and Argonne National Lab Labs & Teams: Directs L2n (CNRS-UMR 7076) and collaborates across interdisciplinary platforms like InSyTE and LIST3N. His team develops novel hybrid materials and nanophotonic devices.
Patrick Phelan is a Professor and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU). He holds additional roles as a Senior Global Futures Scientist and Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Energy Efficiency . His research focuses on sustainable energy systems, thermal management, and energy efficiency, with notable contributions to solar energy, thermal transport processes, and industrial cooling technologies. Phelan has extensive administrative experience, including managing the U.S. Department of Energy’s Emerging Technologies Program and the National Science Foundation’s Thermal Transport Processes Program. Education: Postdoctoral Fellow, Tokyo Institute of Technology (1990–1992) Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (1990) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1987) B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Tulane University (1985) Research Interests: Thermal engineering and heat transfer Sustainable energy systems and cooling Energy efficiency in buildings and industry Thermogalvanic systems and advanced materials Decarbonization and community benefit strategies Professional Associations: Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Member, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Current Activities: Leading the ASU Energy Efficiency Center Contributing to the Energy for Rural Arizona initiative Advancing agricultural cold chain efficiency Teaching courses on heat transfer and energy systems (e.g., MAE 589, MAE 576)
Christopher Bates is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), with a joint appointment in the Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry (DCB). He leads the Bates Research Group, focusing on the design, synthesis, and application of soft materials. His lab develops advanced polymers and copolymers with tailored properties for applications in electronics, energy storage, and sustainable materials. Contact information includes cbates@ucsb.edu and an office in Engineering II Building. Research interests emphasize polymer architecture design, including block copolymers, bottlebrush networks, and degradable materials. Key areas include molecular cross-linking for photovoltaic stability, slide-ring gels for mechanical performance, and physics-informed machine learning for phase identification. The group also explores recyclable materials and sustainable synthesis methods. Recent work highlights advancements in α-lipoic acid-based materials, dynamic covalent networks, and electrochemical degradation strategies. The Bates Lab collaborates on projects such as tunable polyborosiloxane networks and self-healing elastomers. Advising includes Dr. Elizabeth Murphy (PhD 2025). No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided texts. The lab’s work is supported by grants such as the NSF CAREER award (2019) for block copolymer research. Labs and teams: The Bates Group operates within the UCSB Materials Department, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to materials science challenges.
Dr Paul Henshall is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Oxford Brookes University, affiliated with the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics. His work bridges advanced thermal systems, renewable energy, and mathematical modelling, with a strong focus on sustainable technologies. His research interests include: Mathematical modelling of renewable energy systems Second-life battery energy storage Thermal management of battery packs Lithium-ion cell characterization Advanced solar thermal systems Thermochemical energy storage The analysis of his recent publications (2018–2025) reveals a consistent focus on energy storage and solar thermal technologies. His work emphasizes computational modelling, experimental validation, and sustainability assessment, particularly in second-life batteries and high-efficiency solar collectors. Key themes include battery degradation prediction, thermal stress analysis, and the integration of renewable systems in buildings and industry. Professional recognitions include: Chartered Physicist (CPhys) Member of the Institute of Physics (MInstP) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Member of the Institute of Physics Energy Group Committee Paul supervises MEng and PhD students, including Dr. Farhad Salek, whose thesis focused on second-life battery systems. He teaches core modules in engineering mathematics, numerical methods, and computational modelling. He is involved with the Centre for Batteries, Electric Vehicles and Electronics and the Architectural Engineering Research Group, contributing to interdisciplinary research in sustainable energy systems.
Dr. Miaoqiang Lyu is a Research Fellow at the School of Chemical Engineering , The University of Queensland . His work focuses on lead-free perovskites , flexible energy storage , and optoelectronic devices . Research Interests : Designing low-toxicity and stable semiconducting lead-free perovskites for solar energy conversion Developing flexible energy storage devices for Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors Advancing zinc batteries and aqueous electrolyte systems Photocatalytic hydrogen production and CO2 reduction Recent Article Trends : Focus on 2D/3D heterostructures, interstitial metal doping, and solvent-engineered interfaces Applications in indoor photovoltaics, artificial synaptic functions, and wearable electronics Lead-free perovskites for resistive memory and energy storage Scientific Awards : ARC DECRA Fellow Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow CRC for Polymers grant Supervision & Funding : Principal advisor for two PhD projects on lead-free perovskites and flexible batteries Current grants: Enabling low-toxicity perovskites for indoor photovoltaics (2026-2030), Printable zinc ion batteries (2025-2026) Labs & Collaborations : Affiliated with the Nanomaterials Centre at UQ Collaborations with Professor Lianzhou Wang , Professor Ian Gentle , and Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe
Dr. Lucy Gloag is a Lecturer at the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian National University (ANU), where she joined in 2024 after previously serving as a Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney in 2023. Her research focuses on the development of advanced nanomaterials for energy applications, particularly in electrocatalysis and energy storage. Education: BSc/BCA and BSc(Hons) from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand PhD from the University of New South Wales (2018) on synthesis and characterization of Ru-based nanocatalysts Dr. Gloag is a nanomaterials chemist and electron microscopist specializing in the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials for electrocatalytic applications. Her research addresses the fundamental question of how nanostructure can be used to enhance the performance of electrocatalysts . She employs solution-phase synthesis techniques to create nanoparticles with precise control over crystal structure, dimensions, and surface faceting, then correlates these structural features with electrocatalytic properties using transmission electron microscopy and electrochemistry. Her work spans energy conversion technologies, biomedical applications of nanoparticles, and advanced materials characterization. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on single-atom catalysts, hierarchical nanostructures, and the relationship between nanomaterial structure and function. Her research spans both fundamental materials science and practical applications in energy conversion, with significant work on oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and methanol oxidation electrocatalysts. She has also made notable contributions to biomedical applications of nanoparticles, particularly in magnetic particle imaging and Alzheimer's disease diagnostics. Scientific Awards: ARC Discovery Project Grant (2023) ARC Linkage Project Grant (2023) UNSW Science COVID19 Strategic Support Grant (October 2021) Dementia Australia Research Foundation – Yulgilbar Innovation Grant (2019-2022) Australian Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2015) AMN-7 Image Competition Finalist (2015) Dr. Gloag currently leads the ANU Futures Scheme 2.0 project (2024-2028) and has secured multiple competitive research grants, demonstrating strong research leadership. Her work involves extensive collaboration with researchers at UNSW and other institutions, particularly with Professors Richard Tilley and Justin Gooding. She has published 28 research outputs since 2015, with significant citation impact (h-index of 17). Her laboratory at ANU (Building 137, room 2.49) focuses on developing single atom and nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion technologies, continuing her trajectory as an emerging leader in advanced materials synthesis and electron microscopy characterization.
Vladimir Bulović is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, holding the Fariborz Maseeh Chair in Emerging Technology. He serves as Founding Director of MIT.nano, a 20,000 m² nanofabrication and prototyping facility. His research focuses on nanoscale materials, renewable energy, and optoelectronics, with emphasis on scalable solar technologies and printed electronics. Education: B.S.E. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University. Research Interests: Development of thin-film photovoltaics (perovskites, organic PVs), energy-efficient optoelectronics, and advanced manufacturing techniques. His work bridges nanotechnology with real-world applications, such as transparent solar cells and flexible electronics. Key innovations include vapor transport deposition (VTD) for perovskite solar cells and scalable printed electronics. Publications: Over 250 articles (45,000+ citations) focus on perovskite materials, semiconductor fabrication, and optoelectronic device optimization. Recent trends emphasize machine learning-driven materials design and stability enhancement strategies for photovoltaics. Awards: MacVicar Fellowship (2018), Top 1% Highly Cited Researcher (2018) Advising & Grants: Co-founded Ubiquitous Energy, Kateeva, and QD Vision. Led projects on grid-edge solar solutions and MIT-Eni Solar Frontiers Center. Served as Associate Dean for Innovation and Director of MIT’s Innovation Initiative (2013–2018). Labs/Teams: Directs the Organic and Nanostructured Electronics Lab and oversees MIT.nano’s interdisciplinary research programs.
Paola Vivo is a Professor of Materials Chemistry at Tampere University, Finland, leading the HSC research group focused on advanced solar energy materials development. Her research specializes in: Perovskite photovoltaic technologies Lead-free solar cell alternatives Indoor light energy harvesting systems Active within the university since 2011, her work targets sustainable energy solutions through novel material design for next-generation solar applications.
