Matias Kagias

Research question

My research focuses on the development and characterization of materials with defined structure from the nanoscale up to the centimeter scale. The way materials interact with external factors such as light, fluids, and mechanical forces is highly dependent on their structure. Gaining full control over material structure is therefore a powerful tool for enabling materials with unprecedented properties and highly optimized performance. Achieving structural control effectively and precisely from close to atomic scales up to macroscopic length scales is an exciting and interdisciplinary challenge. In my work, I use a synergistic approach, combining the development of 3D nanofabrication methods and X-ray characterization tools for studying not only structure property relationships of the end materials, but also for understanding the underlying physics of the fabrication process. To achieve this, I take full advantage of the state-of-the-art nanofabrication and X-ray characterization facilities of NanoLund and MAXIV respectively.

Sustainability aspects

My research is strongly linked to tackling several sustainable development goals (SDGs). More direct applications of novel materials and structures resulting from my research cover SDG6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG7 (affordable and clean energy), and SDG11 (sustainable cities and communities). The materials and technological developments I foresee from my work, include hierarchical efficient (photo)-catalytic reactors for water purification and energy production, and photonic structures for efficient solar energy harvesting and passive daytime radiative cooling.