Meet Colin Ophus, new associate professor of materials science and engineering and center fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy: https://lnkd.in/guhqZhEB
Designing new materials from the atom up Colin Ophus uses electron microscopy to understand the atomic structure of promising new materials. He uses that expertise to explore ways to produce energy with less pollution and waste. Ophus is particularly focused on materials used in sustainable energy applications such as #solar cells, battery electrolytes, and recyclable polymers. His approach combines computer simulations with real-world experiments to ensure the accurate synthesis of these materials, helping answer the crucial question: "Did we make what we wanted to make?" Initially planning a career in the petroleum industry, Ophus shifted his focus to scientific research after an influential lab internship. He went on to earn a PhD in materials and chemical engineering, with an emphasis on atomic-scale synthesis. His expertise in analyzing fragile, beam-sensitive materials drives his research and connects to his broader mission of sustainability. Before becoming a Stanford University associate professor and center fellow at Stanford's Precourt Institute for Energy, Ophus spent 12 years as a staff scientist at Berkeley Lab, where he balanced independent research with managing a user facility. He values education as much as research, frequently traveling the world to teach workshops on his methods. Ophus sees Stanford as the ideal place to merge his passion for both teaching and scientific discovery. Link to the brief, first-person profile: https://lnkd.in/gZEEs-x7