Seminar “Insights on properties of morphologically complex functional materials using advanced methods at synchrotrons and free electron lasers”

Nanoparticles by Design Unit (Sowwan Unit) would like to invite you to a seminar by Dr. Maya Kiskinova from Elettra Laboratory.

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Date:   Feb 27th, Tuesday, 2018

Time:   2 pm – 3pm

Venue: Meeting Room C016, Level C, Lab 1

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Title: Insights on properties of morphologically complex functional materials using advanced methods at synchrotrons and free electron lasers

Speaker: Dr. Maya Kiskinova (Senior Scientist - Coordinator Research Projects)

Affiliation: Elettra Laboratory

Abstract:

  The trend of modern nano-technology to invent complex nano-structured and composite materials with improved structural, chemical, electric, magnetic and optical properties has pushed the development and implementation of appropriate characterization methods exploring their structure, dynamics and function at proper spatial, temporal and energy scales. In this respect the complementary capabilities in terms of imaging, spectroscopy, spatial and time resolution of the tools operated at synchrotron and free electron laser facilities have opened unique opportunities to explore the properties of complex functional materials as a function of their size, morphology, composition and operation conditions. Ongoing developments are pushing the lateral and temporal resolution and set-ups allowing for in-situ measurements under realistic operational conditions. The most recent achievements will be illustrated by using selected results from studies of technologically relevant multicomponent materials following the effects of the chemical ambient, temperature, electromagnetic fields and radiation. The talk will include (i) properties of free-standing nanostructures as a function of composition, dimensions and ambient [1, 2]; (ii) variations in morphology and chemical state of key functional constituents in electrochemical devices as a function of growth or operating conditions [3-5]; (iii) tracking the ultrafast dynamics triggered by external stimuli with access to elemental and/or magnetic structure of the specimen [6].

[1] A. Barinov et al, Adv. Mater. 21 (2009) 1916.

[2] F. Jabeen et al, Nano Research 3 (2010) 706.

[3] B. Bozzini et al, Scientific Reports, DOI: 10.1038/srep02848.

[4] G. Kourousias et al, Nano Research 9 (2016) 2046.

[5] M. Amati et al, Surface Science 652 (2016) 20.

[6] F. Bencivenga et al, Advances in Physics 63 (2014) 327.

Biography:

 Maya Kiskinova was born in Sofia (Bulgaria). She graduated from Sofia State University “Kliment Ohridski” in 1972 with Master in Chemistry, received her Ph.D in 1977 and Sc. D. Habilitation in 1989 in Physical Chemistry. She had research positions in Bulgarian Academy of Science and joint appointment as associate professor in Sofia State University before moving to Elettra Laboratory as a senior scientist in 1990 to supervise the development of X-ray and IR microscopy and imaging research programs. Presently she is the Elettra Research Coordinator, teaches a PhD Course in the University of Trieste and lectures at international schools. She was a visiting scientist at the National Bureau of Standards, now NIST (USA) in 1980, IGF-KFA, now FZJ (Germany) in 1982-1984 and University of Pittsburgh (USA) in 1987-1988. In 2002 she received Italian citizenship for scientific merits and in 2005 was awarded Distinguished Humboldt Research Grant.

Maya Kiskinova was/is member of many scientific and review panels in Europe (Germany-DESY, XFEL in Hamburg and HZB in Berlin, France-SOLEIL, Switzerland-SLS, Spain-ALBA, Sweden-MaxLab), USA (LCLS-SLAC, ALS-Berkeley and NSLS–Brookhaven) and Asia (SESAME – Amman). She has chaired and co-chaired a number of international conferences, workshops and schools and is a member of numerous steering and program committees.

Expertise: Research interests and achievements cover different aspects of nano-structured organic and inorganic materials, thin films, interfaces, surface reactions, mass transport, electronic and magnetic properties, chemical reactivity, fuel and solar cells, nano-toxicology and transient states of matter. Last 20 years of research activities have been focused on exploring the properties and transient states of matter at sub-micrometer length scales and development of relevant synchrotron and FEL-based methodology.

Publications and Dissemination: Over 300 articles in reviewed journals, 14 invited reviews and articles, one book, three book chapters and 2 U.S. Patents. Over 100 invited, keynote and plenary lectures at International Congresses, Conferences, Symposia and Workshops.